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

Nor do the monuments in Iraq bear any resemblance to the carefully maintained war memorials and manicured cemeteries all across Europe.

Read more on BBC

George Cukor’s black-and-white vision traipses its heroines through dress fittings, manicures and facials, day drinking and backstabbing all the way, save for an interruption by a Technicolor fashion show.

Read more on Salon

At one point, Kershaw posed with the Dodger Stadium grounds crew for a picture — standing on a mound they had manicured for all of his 228 career starts in the stadium.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Parts of Memphis boast mansions and broad, manicured lawns festooned with elaborate Halloween decorations.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Beneath a fan on the veranda I nursed a gin and tonic, gazing across the manicured lawns to the exuberant tropical gardens.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• beautify