manicure

1 of 2

noun

man·​i·​cure ˈma-nə-ˌkyu̇r 

1

: a treatment for the care of the hands and fingernails

2

: manicurist

manicure

2 of 2

verb

manicured; manicuring

transitive verb

1

: to do manicure work on

especially : to trim and polish the fingernails of

2

a

: to trim closely and evenly

manicured lawns

b

: groom sense 2

manicured flower beds

Examples of manicure in a Sentence

Noun

She gets a manicure every week or so.

Verb

She spends her weekends working in her garden and manicuring her lawn.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This diamond argyle manicure, created by @lacquerbylydia, is offset by graphic shapes, studs, aura effects, raised gel details, and a deep French tip. —Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 18 Nov. 2025

The close-up video reveals a magically retro, ready-for-a-getaway manicure. —Marci Robin, Allure, 18 Nov. 2025

Verb

His lawn is nicely manicured and his home framed by stately royal palms. —Lindita Cela, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

The beauty of this nude nail look lies in its versatility, pairing well with any outfit without feeling quite as stripped down as the barely-there manicures that celebs have been favoring well past summer. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 18 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Latin manus hand + French -icure (as in pédicure pedicure) — more at manual

First Known Use

Noun

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

circa 1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing manicure

• French manicure

Kids Definition

manicure

1 of 2 noun

man·​i·​cure ˈman-ə-ˌkyu̇(ə)r 

: a beauty treatment for the hands and nails

manicure

2 of 2 verb

manicured; manicuring

1

: to give a manicure to

2

: to trim closely and evenly

manicured their lawn

Etymology

Noun

from French manicure "one who gives a beauty treatment for the hands," derived from Latin manus "hand" and Latin cura "care"