groom

[groom, groom]

noun

1. a bridegroom.

2. a man or boy in charge of horses or the stable.

3. any of several officers of the English royal household.

4. Archaic.,  a manservant.

verb (used with object)

1. to tend carefully as to person and dress; make neat or tidy.

2. to clean, brush, and otherwise tend (a horse, dog, etc.).

3. to prepare (a trail) for a specific use, such as skiing, biking, or hiking.

   The resort is currently grooming 7 miles of cross-country ski trails for your enjoyment this winter.

4. to prepare for a position, election, etc..

   Both of these young goalies are being groomed for roles in the NHL.

5. to condition or manipulate (a victim) emotionally over time, as through friendship, gifts, flattery, etc., in order to entrap the person in a sexually abusive or predatory relationship.

6. (of an animal) to tend (itself or another) by removing dirt, parasites, or specks of other matter from the fur, skin, feathers, etc.: often performed as a social act.

groom

/ ɡruːm, ɡrʊm /

noun

1. a person employed to clean and look after horses

2. See bridegroom

3. any of various officers of a royal or noble household

4. archaic,  a male servant or attendant

5. archaic,  a young man

verb

1. to make or keep (clothes, appearance, etc) clean and tidy

2. to rub down, clean, and smarten (a horse, dog, etc)

3. to train or prepare for a particular task, occupation, etc

   to groom someone for the Presidency

4. to win the confidence of (a victim) in order to a commit sexual assault on him or her

Other Word Forms

• groomer noun
• groomish adjective
• groomishly adverb
• nongrooming adjective
• regroom verb (used with object)
• ungroomed adjective
• grooming noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of groom¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English grom, grome, groum “infant boy, boy, youth, groom”; further origin obscure; akin to grow

Word History and Origins

Origin of groom¹

C13 grom manservant; perhaps related to Old English grōwan to _grow

Example Sentences

For Becky the idea of helping other brides and grooms celebrate their special day in the same place as her is a heartwarming one.

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The lure was quick cash, but beneath their bravado was something more predatory - boys as young as their early teens had been effectively groomed into crime.

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He’s 43, immaculately dressed and groomed and has the countenance of a high school counselor.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In July, the prime minister announced there would be a full national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs in England and Wales.

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“Wag Hotels’ dedicated caregivers are passionate about providing our furry guests and their parents with the loving care that has made us their trusted choice for their pet’s daycare, boarding and grooming needs.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• comb 
• educate 
• prim 
• tend