1
2
a
: a person responsible for the feeding, exercising, and stabling of horses
b(1)
archaic
: manservant
(2)
: one of several officers of the English royal household
groomed; grooming; grooms
1
: to clean and maintain the appearance of (an animal)
especially
: to maintain the health and condition of the coat of (a horse, dog, etc.) by brushing, combing, currying, or similar attention
2
: to make neat or attractive
an impeccably groomed person
3
a
: to make (someone) ready for a specific objective : prepare
was being groomed as a presidential candidate
b
: to build a trusting relationship with (a minor) in order to exploit them especially for nonconsensual sexual activity
: to groom oneself
Examples of groom in a Sentence
Verb
The horses are being groomed for the competition.
She spent hours grooming herself.
She always seems to be perfectly groomed and neatly dressed.
He is being groomed to take over the company.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
In the owner's defense, cocker spaniels are not the easiest dog breed to groom, given their long, silky coats.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Immediately, Mama Skunk takes the little kitten under her care, grooming him and feeding him like one of hers, despite their different DNA.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for groom
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Noun
This maxi dress will make a big statement at the next wedding you’re invited to—don’t worry, not enough to steal the show from the bride- or groom-to-be.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
In the owner's defense, cocker spaniels are not the easiest dog breed to groom, given their long, silky coats.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
In fact, Cam has been groomed to take Isaiah’s spot since childhood, though Isaiah won’t retire easily.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Immediately, Mama Skunk takes the little kitten under her care, grooming him and feeding him like one of hers, despite their different DNA.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for groom
Cite this Entry
“Groom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groom. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
1
a
archaic
: a male servant
b
: a person in charge of horses
2
groom
2 of 2 verb1
: to clean and keep up the appearance of (as the coat of a horse or dog)
2
: to make neat, attractive, or acceptable
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