finger hole: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Industrial (e.g., manufacturing, sports equipment), Informal (when used metaphorically).
Quick answer
What does “finger hole” mean?
A hole or opening designed or sized specifically for a finger, typically to be inserted or used for manipulation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A hole or opening designed or sized specifically for a finger, typically to be inserted or used for manipulation.
In bowling, the holes drilled into a bowling ball for gripping; in ceramics/pottery, a handle formed by a loop of clay with a hole for a finger; in sports equipment, openings for better grip; metaphorically, a flaw or vulnerability in a plan or object.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Usage frequency may be slightly higher in American English due to bowling's popularity.
Connotations
Neutral/functional in both dialects. Metaphorical use is equally informal.
Frequency
Rare in general discourse; common in specific technical contexts like bowling or pottery.
Grammar
How to Use “finger hole” in a Sentence
[verb] + the + finger hole (e.g., enlarge, plug, cover)finger hole + [preposition] + [noun] (e.g., hole in the handle, hole for your index finger)[adjective] + finger hole (e.g., snug, oval, thumb)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “finger hole” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The potter will finger-hole the handle before the second firing.
- He carefully finger-holed the clay to create a better grip.
American English
- The pro shop will finger-hole your new ball to fit your hand.
- You need to finger-hole the grip for a custom fit.
adjective
British English
- The finger-hole spacing felt a bit off.
- She preferred a finger-hole grip on her tools.
American English
- The finger-hole placement is crucial for a good release.
- It's a standard finger-hole design.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Uncommon. Could be used in product design or ergonomics discussions.
Academic
Rare. May appear in sports science, ergonomics, or material culture studies.
Everyday
Mainly in contexts like bowling, crafts (pottery), or simple DIY.
Technical
Common in sports equipment manufacturing, pottery, and some tool design.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “finger hole”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “finger hole”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “finger hole”
- Using 'finger hole' to describe any small hole (e.g., in fabric).
- Confusing with 'knothole' or 'pinhole'.
- Misspelling as 'fingerhole' (acceptable but less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as two separate words ('finger hole'). The hyphenated form 'finger-hole' is used less frequently, primarily as an adjective (e.g., finger-hole spacing).
The most common everyday use is in the context of ten-pin bowling, referring to the holes drilled into the ball for the bowler's fingers and thumb.
No, it is specific to human anatomy and design. For animals, you would specify the digit (e.g., 'claw hole') or use a more general term like 'opening'.
Yes. In specific contexts like bowling, 'finger hole' refers to the holes for the middle and ring fingers, while 'thumb hole' is separate. In a general sense, a 'thumb hole' is a type of finger hole designed specifically for the thumb.
A hole or opening designed or sized specifically for a finger, typically to be inserted or used for manipulation.
Finger hole is usually technical/industrial (e.g., manufacturing, sports equipment), informal (when used metaphorically). in register.
Finger hole: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪŋɡə həʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪŋɡər hoʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The finger hole in his argument was obvious to everyone.”
- “It's a plan full of finger holes.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of putting your finger IN a HOLE - a FINGER HOLE. Like the holes in a bowling ball you put your fingers IN.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FINGER HOLE IS A POINT OF ENTRY/CONTROL; A FINGER HOLE IS A WEAK SPOT.
Practice
Quiz
In a metaphorical sense, what does 'a finger hole in the plan' mean?