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manicure

1 of 2

noun

man·​i·​cure ˈma-nə-ˌkyu̇r How to pronounce manicure (audio)
1
: a treatment for the care of the hands and fingernails
2

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Just a day before Thanksgiving, Ganzorigt revealed the name of Hailey Bieber's latest manicure on Instagram, posting two of the 29-year-old model's mirror selfies from recent birthday roundups. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2025 Selena Gomez is never one to be seen without an immaculate manicure. Marci Robin, Allure, 26 Nov. 2025
Verb
The look itself combines the chrome glazing technique that nail artist Zola Ganzorigt is known for with the cat-eye manicures everyone—including Hailey Bieber—has been going crazy for this fall. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 15 Nov. 2025 His lawn is nicely manicured and his home framed by stately royal palms. Lindita Cela, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for manicure

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of manicure was in 1877

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Manicure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manicure. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

manicure

1 of 2 noun
man·​i·​cure ˈman-ə-ˌkyu̇(ə)r How to pronounce manicure (audio)
: 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"

More from Merriam-Webster on manicure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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