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

Though their obsessions with moisturizers and eyebrow grooming seem pretty girlie to someone of my generation, looksmaxxing is rooted in objectification.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Meanwhile, politicians from across Dudley Council's political divides are calling a special meeting of the authority to debate the media reports of child grooming.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Aside from daycare, the location offers dog boarding and grooming.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Motorhomes, dashboard cameras, and pet grooming have also been added in the latest review.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

The war—” “Leave your fantasy life out of this. We’re grooming you for the Olympics, pal, in 1944.”

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles

Related Words

• admonition
• censure
• rebuke