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groom

GROOM/ɡɹuːm/

Pluralgrooms

Verbgrooms, grooming, groomed

12 meanings of groom

Practice

  1. 1
    husband-to-benouncountable
    A man on his wedding day, or just before or just after it.

    The groom waited nervously at the front of the church.

    The groom's brother gave a funny speech at the rehearsal dinner.

    UsageOften used in the phrase the bride and groom, in that order.

    Similarbridegroom

    Note
  2. 2
    tidy yourselfverbtransitive or intransitive
    To take care of how you look and what you wear.

    She always takes time to groom herself before work.

    He looked well groomed, with neat hair and a clean, pressed shirt.

    UsageA neat and tidy person is well-groomed.

    Similarprimp

  3. 3
    verbtransitive
    To take care of a horse or other animal by brushing and cleaning it.

    She likes to groom her pony after every ride.

    He grooms the dog every Sunday in the backyard.

    Similarbrush, clean

  4. 4
    nouncountable
    A time when an animal, like a dog or horse, is brushed or cleaned.

    The dog needs a good groom after rolling in the mud.

    Our cat hates her weekly groom.

    UsageA pet shop offers a groom. For the activity in general, say grooming.

    Similarbrush

  5. 5
    lureverbtransitive
    To win the trust of a child or someone easily hurt, in order to use or harm them, often sexually.

    Our school taught us the warning signs that an adult may be trying to groom a child.

    The man was sent to prison for grooming teenagers through a gaming app.

    Note
  6. 6
    verbtransitive
    To train and prepare someone for an important job or event.

    The old mayor wants to groom his assistant for the job.

    She is being groomed to lead the company after her father retires.

    UsageSay groom someone for a job, or groom someone to lead.

    Similarprepare, train, ready, coach, prime

    Note
  7. 7
    worker with horsesnouncountable
    A person who takes care of horses.

    The groom brushed the horse and gave it fresh water.

    The riding school hired two new grooms to care for its ponies.

    UsageSay horse groom if people might think of a wedding.

    Similarostler, horsekeeper

    Note
  8. 8
    ski slopeverbtransitive
    To get a ski slope ready for skiers by pressing down the snow.

    Workers groom the slopes every night after the lifts close.

    The beginner hill was freshly groomed this morning.

    Similarprepare

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of groom apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meaning 1

Groom is a short form of bridegroom. That word comes from Old English words meaning 'bride' and 'man.'

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

  • Groom, meaning a man getting married, is a shortening of bridegroom. en.wiktionary.org
  • Bridegroom derives from Old English words meaning 'bride' and 'man'. en.wiktionary.org
Meanings 2–9

It comes from Middle English grom, meaning 'boy' or 'young man.' Where that word came from is not certain.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts