manicure

1 of 2

noun

man·​i·​cure ˈma-nə-ˌkyu̇r 

1

: manicurist

2

: a treatment for the care of the hands and fingernails

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

Pastel manicures with bright, summery colors practically go viral every summer. —Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 14 May 2025

And while minimalist manicures have ruled thanks to their classic color palettes, summer always brings bolder, head-turning nail looks. —Mica Ricketts, Refinery29, 9 May 2025

Verb

Morris is fully vaccinated, bathed, manicured and microchipped – all ready for the good life to come. —Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 12 May 2025

Three of the four had manicured Bollywood-style mustaches. —Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 6 May 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 1

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"