grooming

American  

noun

1. the care of a body and its physical appearance, such as the personal hygiene routine of brushing one’s teeth or combing one’s hair, or the washing, brushing, etc., of a dog or horse.

   Grooming your dogs at home is less expensive than taking them to the groomer, if you can stand the wet dog smell and the hair that ends up everywhere.

2. the act or result of preparing a trail for a specific use, such as skiing, biking, or hiking.

   Donation boxes have been posted at each trail to cover their grooming and other maintenance costs.

3. the act or process of preparing someone to fill a position or role or to undertake an activity.

   The grooming of new personnel to handle additional responsibilities requires team leaders who will act as mentors and share constructive feedback.

4. an act or instance of engaging in behaviors or practices intended to gradually condition or emotionally manipulate a victim over time, as through friendship, gifts, flattery, etc., in order to entrap the person in a sexually abusive or predatory relationship.

   The ongoing targeting and grooming of minors online shows that our safety protocols for children on the internet are insufficient.

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Etymology

Origin of grooming

First recorded in 1810–20 grooming for def. 1 and in 1985–90 grooming for def. 4; groom ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Anyone from another part of the world or even another state could spend time grooming someone else over the internet or through social media, Speckhard said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

“We’re grooming a generation that is just not going to be capable of performing under pressure, and that’s a scary thought,” he said on an April episode titled “Special Accommodation or Cheating.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

In some cases, up to five cone ants would gather and begin grooming.

From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026

It creates a long chain of spending on food, grooming, healthcare, apparel, toys, boarding, and services.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

As much petting, rubbing, and grooming as my pony got, it was a wonder she had any hair left on her.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

• admonition
• censure
• rebuke