Grooming

UK: /ˈgruːmɪŋ/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

groom /grum, grʊm/   n. [countable]

1. bridegroom.
2. a man or boy in charge of horses or a stable.

v. [~ + object]

3. to make (oneself or one's clothing) neat or tidy:
   She groomed herself carefully before the meeting.
4. Animal Behavior, Zoology (of an animal) to tend (itself or another) by removing dirt or unwanted tiny organisms from the fur, skin, feathers, etc.:
   Monkeys groom each other.
5. to clean, brush, and otherwise tend (a horse, dog, etc.).
6. to prepare for a position, election, etc.:
   The mayor is being groomed for higher office.

groom•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

groom  (gro̅o̅m, grŏŏm), n. 

1. a bridegroom.
2. a man or boy in charge of horses or the stable.
3. any of several officers of the English royal household.
4. [Archaic.] a manservant.

v.t. 

5. to tend carefully as to person and dress;
   make neat or tidy.
6. to clean, brush, and otherwise tend (a horse, dog, etc.).
7. to prepare for a position, election, etc.:
   The mayor is being groomed for the presidency.
8. Animal Behavior, Zoology (of an animal) to tend (itself or another) by removing dirt, parasites, or specks of other matter from the fur, skin, feathers, etc.: often performed as a social act.

• 1175–1225; Middle English grom boy, groom; apparently akin to grow

groom′er, n. 
groom′ish, adj. 
groom′ish•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 7. educate, train, coach, drill, tutor.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

groom / ɡruːm ɡrʊm/ noun

1. a person employed to clean and look after horses
2. See bridegroom
3. any of various officers of a royal or noble household
4. a male servant or attendant

verb (transitive)

1. to make or keep (clothes, appearance, etc) clean and tidy
2. to rub down, clean, and smarten (a horse, dog, etc)
3. to train or prepare for a particular task, occupation, etc: to groom someone for the Presidency

Etymology: 13th Century grom manservant; perhaps related to Old English grōwan to grow