nail file

American  

noun

1. a small file of metal or cardboard, for trimming, smoothing, or shaping the fingernails and sometimes having a point for removing dirt from under them.

---

Etymology

Origin of nail file

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Compare meaning

How does nail-file compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• emery board vs. nail file

Example Sentences

Using these tools and a nail file that Starr had slipped in her pocket when she used the restroom, they cut the zip ties and came up with a plan.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2025

"And you can sit there with a nail file and try to pry the chiton off; you will lose."

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2024

Trim toenails straight across, and use a nail file on corners, instead of cutting them.

From Washington Post • Jul. 18, 2022

“It’s because when she walks, her knees feel like someone is running a big nail file right through the middle of them again and again.”

From Slate • Jun. 10, 2021

He began to run the nail file under his fingernails—which were already perfectly clean.

From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger