pinkie

Pinkie, also pinky, is a common term for the smallest finger on the hand. In anatomy it is the fifth digit (digitus quintus) on the ulnar side of the hand and participates in grip and dexterity. The pinkie’s movements are supported by tendons and muscles such as the extensor digiti minimi, and it articulates at the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints. Although small, the pinkie contributes to grip strength and hand stability, particularly in tasks requiring coordinated use of all fingers.

The term is also used informally to refer to the corresponding toe, the pinkie toe or little toe, which helps with balance and weight distribution during locomotion. While the toe sense is separate anatomically, the name reflects its little size.

In everyday language, pinkie or pinky appears in idioms such as pinkie promise (pinky swear), where two people interlock their pinkies to seal a promise in a lighthearted way.

Etymology: Pinkie and pinky are variant spellings of the same word for the small finger. They have long-standing usage in English, with regional preferences varying by speaker and context.

See also: pinky.