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

This manicure features swirly designs in four different shades of brown, creating a beautiful gradient effect that resembles a subtle rainbow at the base of the nails. — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026

The adhesive lasts, holding your manicure in place for up to two weeks, according to our testers. — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026

Verb

The South Louisville woman is more focused on a spark of imagination than curating her outfit and manicuring her hands for their closeup. — Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Sep. 2026

The Upper East Side’s affluent parents just grow more affluent, their Hamptons lawns more manicured, their strollers taller and more Danish-looking, their immense consumption ever more BPA-free. — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026

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"