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

Now that the Baby Monkey Who Could is finding comfort, grooming and companionship from others of his kind, there may come a time when he no longer needs his big stuffed orangutan.

From Los Angeles Times

Public attention on grooming gangs has often centred on the north of England.

From BBC

"A SnoCat team was also launched," the sheriff said, referring to the vehicles that use treads to move in the snow, and are more commonly found grooming snow at ski resorts.

From BBC

Sick dogs can easily be reinfected by grooming themselves and living in an unclean environment.

From Los Angeles Times

Mitchum’s other monthly expenses include $200 for a gym membership and fitness classes, about $800 on eating out and cultural events, and about $450 combined for things like travel, personal grooming and charitable giving.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• admonition
• censure
• rebuke