WordGarden.iofingerless
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈɪŋɡələs/
US
- /fˈɪŋɡərləs/
Meanings
Adjective
made without separate coverings for the fingers
having no fingers
Beyond the definition
"Fingerless" usually describes something made without covering the fingers, especially gloves that leave the fingertips open. People wear them when they want some warmth but still need to type, grip, or handle small things easily. In a rarer and more sensitive sense, it can also describe a person or animal that does not have fingers. The context usually makes it clear whether the word is talking about clothing or a physical condition.
Imagine a cold day when you want to keep your hands warm but still need to send a message, hold a tool, or grab a bike handle. That is where fingerless gloves come in. "Fingerless" most often describes something made so the fingers are not covered, especially gloves with open fingertips. This design gives you more freedom to move and lets you feel what you are touching more easily.
The word also has a more literal meaning. It can describe a person or animal that does not have fingers because of birth, injury, or loss. This use is much less common and should be handled with care, since it refers to a real physical condition rather than a clothing style.
In everyday English, the clothing meaning is the one most people will notice first. If you hear someone talk about fingerless gloves, they usually mean gloves that keep the hand partly warm while leaving the fingertips free for better control.
So the word can be practical and ordinary when it describes clothing, or more serious and descriptive when it refers to a body. The context tells you which meaning is intended.
Examples
- 1
Clothing
She was wearing fingerless gloves on the train.
- 2
Cycling
My cycling gloves are fingerless, so I can change gears more easily.
- 3
Costume
He finished the costume with a pair of black fingerless gloves.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- fingerlessadjective