Verbs for Using Fingers and Palm · Verbs: Manual Action

to stroke or caress an animal as a gesture of care or attention

"The child pets the friendly dog."

"The little boy loves to pet every dog he sees on the street even if the owner says no."

to rub gently or caress an animal's fur or hair

"She stroked the cat's soft fur."

"She gently stroked the cat's soft fur to calm it down during the thunderstorm outside the window."

to apply pressure to a surface with back and forth or circular motions

"Rub the lotion on your skin."

"Rub the lotion gently into your skin until it is completely absorbed to keep your hands soft and moisturized."

to press or rub a part of a person's body, typically with the hands, to make them feel refreshed

"He will massage his sore shoulders."

"The physical therapist will massage your sore muscles to relieve tension and improve blood circulation in the affected area."

to shape one's hands in a rounded or curved manner

"Cup your hands to hold water."

"He cupped his hands around the warm mug of tea to feel the heat on his cold fingers."

to move or play with something in a nervous or absentminded manner

"He twiddled his thumbs while waiting."

"He sat nervously in the waiting room and began to twiddle his thumbs while looking at the clock repeatedly."

to play with or handle something in a restless or idle manner, often with slight, repetitive movements

"Do not toy with my emotions."

"He toyed with the idea of quitting his job and traveling the world but he was too afraid to take the risk."

to lightly touch or stroke a sensitive part of the body, causing a tingling or laughing sensation

"Tickle the baby to make him laugh."

"The soft feathers tickled his nose and made him sneeze loudly several times in a row."

to move or propel something with a light, quick motion

"He flicked the switch up."

"He flicked the light switch and the room was immediately filled with bright illumination from the ceiling lamps."

to use nails to scratch, scrape, or dig

"The cat claws the sofa fabric."

"The cat clawed at the sofa trying to sharpen its nails and left deep scratch marks in the expensive fabric."

to touch or strike something with a quick and light movement

"Dab the stain with a cloth."

"She dabbed a small amount of perfume on her wrists and behind her ears before leaving for the party."

to touch or handle something using the fingers

"She will finger the keys."

"The detective was careful not to finger the evidence at the crime scene."

to strike the palms of one's hands together forcefully, usually to show appreciation or to attract attention

"They clap their hands."

"The audience began to clap enthusiastically after the amazing performance ended."

to clap one's hands as a sign of approval

"We applaud you."

"The audience began to applaud enthusiastically after the stunning performance."

to hit someone or something with an open hand, usually making a sharp sound

"Do not slap the dog."

"It is never acceptable to slap another person regardless of how angry you feel in the moment."

to touch or hit gently and repeatedly with an open hand

"I will pat your shoulder."

"The nurse gently patted the crying child's back to offer some comfort."

to touch or handle something in a restless, absentminded, or often playful manner

"Stop fidgeting and fiddle."

"He tends to fiddle with his pen whenever he's nervous during important meetings."

to stretch one's hand or arm to touch, take, or connect with something or someone

"Reach out and take it."

"He extended his hand to reach out for the falling object."

to stretch upwards and bring something down from a higher level

"Reach down the book."

"She had to reach down the heavy box from the very top shelf of the closet."

to show the place or direction of someone or something by holding out a finger or an object

"Point to the map location."

"It is rude to point at people with your finger especially when they are standing close to you."

to tightly grip and squeeze something, particularly someone's flesh, between one's fingers

"Pinch the dough together at the edges."

"The toddler tried to pinch his older sister's arm when she refused to share her toys with him."

to hit a door, surface, etc. in a way to attract attention, especially expecting it to be opened

"I will knock the door."

"Please knock firmly on the wooden door if no one answers your initial attempt."

to hit someone or something gently, often with a few quick light blows

"Tap the door gently."

"She tapped her fingers impatiently on the desk while waiting for the meeting to finally begin."

to rub a person's or one's own skin to relieve an itching sensation, particularly with one's fingernails

"My back itches, I scratch."

"She couldn't resist the urge to scratch the mosquito bite on her arm."

to press, move, or manipulate something using the thumb

"He thumbs through the magazine pages."

"He thumbed through the magazine while waiting for his appointment at the dentist's office and found an interesting article about travel."