finger grass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Informal
Quick answer
What does “finger grass” mean?
A common name for various grasses, particularly in the genus Digitaria, characterized by seed heads with finger-like branches.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A common name for various grasses, particularly in the genus Digitaria, characterized by seed heads with finger-like branches.
An informal term for any grass or weed with radiating seed heads resembling fingers; sometimes used in a horticultural or agricultural context to denote a nuisance plant in lawns or crops.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
While the term is understood, regional common names for specific Digitaria species vary (e.g., 'hairy finger grass' might be used for Digitaria sanguinalis, known in the US as 'large crabgrass'). The base term 'finger grass' is more likely in UK horticultural writing than in casual US speech.
Connotations
Neutral-to-negative; connotes a weed or invasive plant in cultivated land.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday language; higher in gardening, agriculture, and botanical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “finger grass” in a Sentence
The lawn [VERB: is/has been] taken over by finger grass.We need to [VERB: eradicate/control] the finger grass.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “finger grass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The pasture began to finger-grass after the drought, with sparse, radial tufts appearing.
American English
- The neglected lot quickly finger-grassed, becoming a haven for weeds.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in the context of landscaping services or agricultural supply.
Academic
Used in botany, horticulture, and agronomy papers for informal reference to Digitaria species.
Everyday
Rare. Used by gardeners or homeowners discussing lawn weeds.
Technical
Standard in field guides, weed management manuals, and botanical descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “finger grass”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “finger grass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “finger grass”
- Using 'finger grass' as a countable noun without an article (e.g., 'I have finger grass' vs. 'I have finger grass' is acceptable as a mass noun, but 'a finger grass' is atypical). Confusing it with 'crabgrass', which is a specific type of finger grass.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Crabgrass is a specific type of finger grass (Digitaria species). All crabgrass is finger grass, but not all finger grasses are called crabgrass.
It is acceptable in horticultural or agricultural writing as a common name. For maximum precision in academic contexts, use the Latin genus name 'Digitaria'.
It is generally considered a weed that competes with desired plants for nutrients and water, making it harmful in lawns and crops.
Methods include manual removal, maintaining healthy turf to crowd it out, and using pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicides specifically labelled for Digitaria.
A common name for various grasses, particularly in the genus Digitaria, characterized by seed heads with finger-like branches.
Finger grass: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪŋɡə ɡrɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪŋɡər ɡræs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms exist specifically for 'finger grass'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a hand (with fingers) made of grass pushing up through the soil.
Conceptual Metaphor
PLANT PARTS ARE BODY PARTS (fingers).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'finger grass' MOST appropriately used?