manicure

American  

[man-i-kyoor] / ˈmæn ɪˌkyʊər /

noun

1. a cosmetic treatment of the hands and fingernails, including trimming and polishing of the nails and removing cuticles.

2. a manicurist.

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verb (used with object)

manicured, manicuring

1. to take care of (the hands and fingernails); apply manicure treatment to.

2. to trim or cut meticulously.

   to manicure a lawn.

verb (used without object)

manicured, manicuring

1. to give a manicure.

manicure British  

/ ˈmænɪˌkjʊə /

noun

1. care of the hands and fingernails, involving shaping the nails, removing cuticles, etc

2. another word for manicurist

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verb

1. to care for (the hands and fingernails) in this way

2. (tr) to trim neatly

Other Word Forms

• unmanicured adjective

Etymology

Origin of manicure

1875–80; < French < Latin mani- (combining form of manus hand) + cūra care

Example Sentences

With each manicured frame and deceptively poignant observation on the impossibility of living normally in modern life, Kramer concocts an original, wonderfully empathetic study of the desire to play spectator to a world on fire.

From Salon

She began stabbing her perfectly manicured nails at her computer keyboard.

From Literature

The schools, clinics, the manicured golf course — onetime amenities from an industry awash in petrodollars — gone or overgrown with weeds.

From Los Angeles Times

Swiping through Tinder in Saudi Arabia, a profile of a woman in her mid-20s includes photos of her manicured hands holding flowers, a matcha latte, a tennis court and some art.

From The Wall Street Journal

Hometown names stepped up to defend the burg by posting photos of clean streets, manicured parks and humming community events.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beautify