What does "light-fingered" mean?
simple past and past participle of light-finger
Light-fingered
adj, verb
adj, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: simple past and past participle of light-finger
- Grammar: light-fingered is listed as adj, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: fraudulent, furacious, nimble-fingered, sticky-fingered.
- Usage evidence: Tom complained that a light-fingered pilferer who'd briefly brushed against him at the crowded train station had carried off his wallet.
How to use "light-fingered"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "light-fingered" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "light-fingered" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "light-fingered" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "light-fingered" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "light-fingered" is acting as adj, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "fraudulent" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "light-fingered", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Verb
- 1 simple past and past participle of light-finger form-of, participle, past
Adjective
- 1 Having quick, light and nimble fingers.
- 2 Having nimble fingers, especially for stealing or picking pockets (pickpocketing), given to thievery or shoplifting. figuratively
"There is a great quantity of eating and drinking, making love and jilting, laughing and the contrary, smoking, cheating, fighting, dancing and fiddling; […] yokels looking up at the tinselled dancers and poor old rouged tumblers, while the light-fingered folk are operating upon their pockets behind."
Adjective
- 1 having nimble fingers literally or figuratively; especially for stealing or picking pockets wordnet
Example
"Tom complained that a light-fingered pilferer who'd briefly brushed against him at the crowded train station had carried off his wallet."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "light-fingered"?
Common synonyms include: fraudulent, furacious, nimble-fingered, sticky-fingered, theftuous, thieving.
How do you use "light-fingered" in a sentence?
Tom complained that a light-fingered pilferer who'd briefly brushed against him at the crowded train station had carried off his wallet.
Etymology
From light (“not heavy”, adjective) + fingered (“having fingers”, adjective).