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

Princess nails and Dakota Johnson's glass French manicure, for example, have both gone viral; rose water nails share a similar DNA with both of these manicure trends but are just that little bit juicier and pink tinted. —Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 13 July 2025

While her experimentation solidified her icon status, Lil Kim’s more natural hair and makeup looks are just as fabulous, with one of her latest appearances on the Christian Siriano front row in a white oval manicure and jet black updo. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 11 July 2025

Verb

Morris is fully vaccinated, bathed, manicured and microchipped – all ready for the good life to come. —Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 21 June 2025

The doorman building had a laundry room, a gym and manicured gardens. —Anna Fixsen, New York Times, 29 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"