comb

play

noun \ ˈkōm \

Definition of comb

1 a :a toothed instrument used especially for adjusting, cleaning, or confining hair

b :a structure resembling such a comb; especially :any of several toothed devices used in handling or ordering textile fibers

c :currycomb

2 a :a fleshy crest on the head of the domestic chicken and other domestic birds

b :something (such as the ridge of a roof) resembling the comb of a cock

3 :honeycomb

—

combed

play \ˈkōmd\ adjective

—

comblike

play \ˈkōm-ˌlīk\ adjective

See comb defined for English-language learners

See comb defined for kids

Recent Examples of comb from the Web

The volume comes from the bristles, which alternate between short, silicone nubs that help apply the mascara to build volume, and long comb-like arms that separate and fan individual hairs.

— erin reimel, Glamour, "I'm Literally Addicted to Urban Decay's Troublemaker Mascara," 17 Aug. 2017
Attendees had the chance to try honey straight off the comb, eating the sweet treat by the spoonful.

— kate magill, Howard County Times, "White House beekeeper sweetens Howard County Fair," 11 Aug. 2017
Schlessinger agrees and suggests using a wide-tooth comb or a brush with soft bristles to style hair.

— jessica cruel, SELF, "18 Hair Products Dermatologists Recommend for Sensitive Skin," 31 July 2017
A better one would come from that famous remark by Borges, about two bald men fighting over a comb.

— james warren, vanityfair.com, "Is The New York Times vs. The Washington Post vs. Trump the Last Great Newspaper War?," 30 July 2017
Please consider donating school supplies, backpacks, personal care items (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, combs, brushes, toothbrush/paste, feminine needs) during the month of July.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: Residents make Loveland pantry successful," 19 July 2017
There are those on the Cowboys who believe the league is trying offset its mishandling of past domestic violence issues by taking a fine-tooth comb to Elliott’s case.

— clarence e. hill jr., star-telegram, "Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys have drama of yesteryear. Is a title to follow?," 14 July 2017
Byrd hits all these with its no-frills, low-cost comb.

— adam hurly, GQ, "10 Grooming Tools Every Man Needs to Make Life Easier," 11 July 2017
Manny Pacquiao stood there, at a mirror, running a comb through his black hair, trying to cover a cut that opened on his head earlier that afternoon.

— greg bishop, SI.com, "Trainer Freddie Roach can't get a good glimpse of Manny Pacquiao, let alone his future," 11 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'comb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of comb

Middle English, from Old English camb; akin to Old High German kamb comb, Greek gomphos tooth

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Fashion Terms

bodkin, chignon, cowlick, eau de toilette, imperial, pocket, pomander, tonsorial

comb

verb

Definition of comb

transitive verb

1 :to draw a comb through for the purpose of arranging or cleaning

2 :to pass across with a scraping or raking action

3 a :to eliminate (as with a comb) by a thorough going-over

b :to search or examine systematically

police are combing the city

4 :to use in a combing action

intransitive verb

1 of a wave or its crest :to roll over or break into foam

2 :to make a thorough search

comb through the classified ads

See comb defined for English-language learners

Examples of comb in a Sentence

He combed back his hair.
The wool is combed before being spun into yarn.
We combed the beach for shells.

Recent Examples of comb from the Web

When a 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook Nepal in 2015, people around the world combed through Twitter and Facebook posts from the disaster zone and collected reports for help to help guide first responders and charities.

— marina koren, The Atlantic, "Using Twitter to Save a Newborn From a Flood," 28 Aug. 2017
Until the company reaches a decision, the Justice Department will have access to certain emails sent through the domain but must wait to comb through them.

— tiffany hsu, New York Times, "DreamHost Ordered to Release Some Trump Protest Website Data to U.S.," 25 Aug. 2017
Searchers combed the waters off Oahu's Kaena Point for days before suspending the search, according to Maj.

— leada gore, AL.com, "GoFundMe established for Alabama soldier missing after Hawaii helicopter crash," 22 Aug. 2017
Two helicopters and three ships combed the sea from Copenhagen to the Baltic Sea island of Bornholm.

— Bloomberg.com, "URGENT: Private Submarine Sinks; Owner Held on Suspicion of Murder," 11 Aug. 2017
Instead of spending Tuesday nights crying in front of their televisions, the This Is Us army is now combing the Internet for any details about season two.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "'This Is Us': Everything We Know About Season Two," 3 Aug. 2017
Carefully comb through hair, paying special attention to the ends.

— lori keong, Marie Claire, "4 Amazing Homemade Hair Masks for Healthier Looking Strands," 19 July 2017
Police were combing for any other surveillance footage and talking to witnesses.

— colleen long, chicagotribune.com, "New York City cop fatally shot while sitting in patrol car," 5 July 2017
Instagram had to hire contractors to comb through spam and gross comments to teach the machine-learning system to recognize patterns and identify whether potential comments are junk or distasteful.

— jonathan vanian, Fortune, "Instagram Turns to Artificial Intelligence to Fight Spam and Cruel Comments," 29 June 2017

First Known Use of comb

14th century

comb Synonyms

Synonyms

search, dig (through), dredge, hunt (through), rake, ransack, rifle, rummage, scour, sort (through), troll

Related Words

frisk, pat down, shake down; audit, check (out), examine, inspect, investigate, review, scan, scrutinize, survey; ascertain, descry, detect, determine, discover, ferret (out), find, find out, get, hit (on or upon), learn, locate, run down, scare up, track (down); grub (about), poke (around); explore, probe, prospect, skirmish, snoop; browse, glance (over), look over; peruse, study

Near Antonyms

hide; abandon, lose; ignore, neglect

comb

abbreviation

Definition of comb

1 combination; combined; combining

2 combustion

COMB Defined for English Language Learners

comb

play

noun

Definition of comb for English Language Learners

: a flat piece of plastic or metal with a row of thin teeth that is used for making hair neat
: a device that is used for separating or straightening fibers (such as wool fibers)
: a soft part on top of the head of some birds (such as chickens)

comb

verb

Definition of comb for English Language Learners

: to smooth, arrange, or separate (hair or fibers) with a comb
: to search (something) very thoroughly in order to find something

COMB Defined for Kids

comb

play

noun \ ˈkōm \

Definition of comb for Students

1 :a toothed implement used to smooth and arrange the hair or worn in the hair to hold it in place

2 :a soft fleshy part on top of the head of a chicken or some related birds

3 :honeycomb

comb

verb

Definition of comb for Students

combed; combing

1 :to smooth, arrange, or untangle with a comb

2 :to search over or through carefully

Police combed the building in search of evidence.

Learn More about comb

See words that rhyme with comb Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for comb Spanish Central: Translation of comb Nglish: Translation of comb for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of comb for Arabic speakers

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comb

Definition of comb

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Recent Examples of comb from the Web

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comb Synonyms

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comb

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COMB Defined for English Language Learners

comb

Definition of comb for English Language Learners

comb

Definition of comb for English Language Learners

COMB Defined for Kids

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comb

Definition of comb for Students

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