nailbrush

American

[neyl-bruhsh] / ˈneɪlˌbrʌʃ /

noun

a small brush with stiff bristles, used to clean the fingernails.

nailbrush British

/ ˈneɪlˌbrʌʃ /

noun

a small stiff-bristled brush for cleaning the fingernails

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of nailbrush

First recorded in 1795–1805; nail + brush ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Tom Hanks takes on the role of Disney, with a nailbrush moustache and unexpectedly gentle charm, his upbeat American optimism making Mrs Travers fit to burst with outrage in her buttoned-up tweed suit.

From BBC • Oct. 21, 2013

But this was not one of those nailbrush moustaches, all short and clipped and bristly.

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl

"He can have my nailbrush if he likes," Harold offered.

From Poor Relations by MacKenzie, Compton

The nails should have a vigorous rubbing with a good nailbrush in the morning before your meals and before you go to bed at night.

From The Complete Bachelor Manners for Men by Germain, Walter

I put out all the little instruments for cleanliness and comfort which it contained: a nailbrush, a new toothbrush—for I always carry a selection of them about with me—my nail-scissors, a nail-file, and sponges.

From The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Vol. 1 Boule de Suif and Other Stories by Maupassant, Guy de

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023