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.

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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

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

From Science Daily

Her collection includes bumper stickers, T-shirts - even a nail file - from her campaigns throughout the ‘70s, ’80s and ’90s, awards and commemorations, photographs, newspaper clippings, office nameplates and a copy of the 1993 pop art poster of former President Bill Clinton by Peter Max.

From Washington Times

Her collection includes bumper stickers, T-shirts — even a nail file — from her campaigns throughout the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, awards and commemorations, photographs, newspaper clippings, office nameplates and a copy of the 1993 pop art poster of former President Bill Clinton by Peter Max.

From Seattle Times

Now the five mothers appear on the movie screen, digitally morphed into the people doling out grotesque recommendations: how you are never too young for “baby Botox”; how at-home lip-injection kits are so amazing; how there are powders you can ingest to skip meals; how to straighten your teeth with a nail file.

From New York Times