manicure

[man-i-kyoor]

noun

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

2. a manicurist.

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

/ ˈmænɪˌkjʊə /

noun

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

2. another word for manicurist

verb

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

2. (tr) to trim neatly

Other Word Forms

• unmanicured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of manicure¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of manicure¹

C19: from French, from Latin manus hand + cūra care

Example Sentences

The company is known for its customer service and family-friendly atmosphere, where ladies can receive manicures and kids are treated to candy floss while waiting for a table.

From BBC

Oriol’s iconic “L.A. Fingers” image — which shows a woman’s manicured, ring-decked fingers forming the letters of this city — is arguably second only to the Dodgers logo as the most identified people’s symbol of Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

The president defended his controversial decision to turn the manicured garden into a big stone patio on Saturday, while sharing a video of a construction worker damaging the limestone.

From Salon

Before the rendezvous with Clark at the boathouse, I’d treated myself to a manicure.

From Los Angeles Times

After the house fell silent, they rifled through pockets of clothes inside the closet, finding a manicure kit and a ninja star inside a box of childhood mementos.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beautify