fingertip: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to formal; common in both spoken and written English.
Quick answer
What does “fingertip” mean?
the end of a finger, especially the part covered by the nail.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the end of a finger, especially the part covered by the nail.
1. Something that is easily accessible or readily available (as in 'at one's fingertips'). 2. A very small amount or a precise point (as in 'fingertip control').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling is consistent. Some minor usage frequency variations in compound terms (e.g., 'fingertip control' may be slightly more common in technical/AmE contexts).
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “fingertip” in a Sentence
have [something] at one's fingertipsbe at one's fingertipsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fingertip” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rare as verb) The goalkeeper managed to fingertip the ball over the crossbar.
American English
- (Rare as verb) The goalie fingertipped the shot just wide of the post.
adjective
British English
- The police conducted a fingertip search of the garden.
American English
- She wore fingertip-length gloves to the formal event.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically for easy access to information: 'Our CRM puts all client data at your fingertips.'
Academic
Used in anatomy, physiology, and human-computer interaction studies.
Everyday
Common in descriptions of touch, sensation, and physical actions: 'I burnt my fingertip on the oven.'
Technical
Used in ergonomics, surgery, sports (e.g., goalkeeping), and touchscreen technology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fingertip”
- Misspelling as 'finger tip' (should be one word or hyphenated: 'fingertip' or 'finger-tip').
- Using 'on my fingertips' instead of the correct idiom 'at my fingertips' for accessibility.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standardly written as one word ('fingertip'). The hyphenated form 'finger-tip' is less common but acceptable.
The singular 'fingertip' is used for literal references. The plural 'fingertips' is used in the common metaphorical idioms 'at one's fingertips' and 'to one's fingertips'.
It is very rare and mostly confined to sports commentary (e.g., in football/soccer or basketball), meaning to touch or deflect something with the tips of one's fingers.
No, 'at my finger tips' is a misspelling. The correct form is 'at my fingertips' (one word).
the end of a finger, especially the part covered by the nail.
Fingertip is usually neutral to formal; common in both spoken and written english. in register.
Fingertip: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪŋɡətɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪŋɡərˌtɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at your fingertips”
- “have something at your fingertips”
- “to one's fingertips (BrE: completely, through and through)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the TIP of your FINGER. Combine them: FINGER + TIP = FINGERTIP.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/ACCESSIBILITY IS PHYSICAL PROXIMITY (e.g., 'having information at your fingertips').
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'to one's fingertips' (BrE) express?