fingernail

Everyday

The hard thin layer that covers and protects the top of the tip of each finger. tree →

In the lessons

In science, fingernails are made of keratin, the same stuff as hair and animal claws and horns; they keep growing, so we cut them. In hygiene lessons, germs and dirt hide under fingernails, so scrub them when washing hands and keep them short; biting nails spreads germs. Phrases: «cut your fingernails», «bite your fingernails», «under your fingernails», «hang on by your fingernails» (only just manage).

Examples

• Scrub under your fingernails when you wash your hands. tree →
• Mum cut the baby's tiny fingernails. tree →
• There was mud under my fingernails after gardening. tree →
• Try not to bite your fingernails. tree →
• Fingernails grow only about three millimetres a month. tree →
• She painted her fingernails pink for the party. tree →
• Fingernails are made of the same stuff as hair. tree →
• Scratching a blackboard with fingernails makes a horrible noise. tree →

Note

Countable; one word. Also simply «nail»; toes have «toenails». Myth: nails and hair do not keep growing after death. In maths problems, ten fingers means ten fingernails.