Phrase guide

give the finger

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To make an obscene gesture (towards someone) by closing the fist and extending the middle finger upwards.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive, usually

Examples

  • Zelda gave Travis the finger after he cut her off in traffic.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: flick off, flip off, flip the bird

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To make any sort of gesture extending one of the fingers above the others.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

20 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Cantonese: 舉中指 /举中指 (geoi2 zung1 zi2) — make an obscene gesture
  • Chinese: 撟中指 /挢中指 (kiāu-tiong-chái) — make an obscene gesture
  • Chinese: 術中指 /术中指 (su̍t-tiong-chái) — make an obscene gesture
  • Chinese Mandarin: 豎中指 /竖中指 (shù zhōngzhǐ) — make an obscene gesture
  • Danish: gi' fingeren — make an obscene gesture
  • Finnish: näyttää keskisormea — make an obscene gesture
  • French: faire un doigt d'honneur — make an obscene gesture
  • French: faire un doigt — make an obscene gesture
  • German: den Stinkefinger zeigen — make an obscene gesture
  • Hungarian: beint — make an obscene gesture
  • Italian: mostrare il dito medio — make an obscene gesture
  • Ojibwe: nimiskam — make an obscene gesture
  • Portuguese: mostrar o dedo do meio — make an obscene gesture
  • Serbo-Croatian: pokazati srednji prst — make an obscene gesture
  • Serbo-Croatian: pokazati prosti prst — make an obscene gesture
  • Spanish: alzar el dedo — make an obscene gesture
  • Spanish: hacer la peineta — make an obscene gesture
  • Spanish: hacer un corte de manga — make an obscene gesture
  • Swedish: peka finger — make an obscene gesture
  • Swedish: ge fingret — make an obscene gesture