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

While glitter manicures are always in style for the holiday season, Lopez’s latest set is perfect for the minimalistic nail crowd. —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 11 Dec. 2025

The girls were given fashion tips and impromptu manicures before participating in a fashion show, with clothes provided by the Northside boutique Frankie's on the Park. —Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025

Verb

Villas grow grander, gardens more manicured, and the sea becomes bluer with every turn. —Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025

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

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"