manicure

Word family

• manicured
  adjectiveB2
• manicurist
  nounB2
• manicuring
  nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A manicure specifically focuses on the fingernails and hands, while a pedicure is the equivalent treatment for the toenails and feet. Nail care is a broader, everyday term that covers basic washing, filing, and moisturising — it does not imply a professional appointment or the cosmetic finishing that a manicure includes. Hand treatment shifts the emphasis from the nails to the skin of the hands, often involving masks or massage rather than nail shaping. Manicuring refers to the activity or skill itself — someone might study manicuring at a beauty school, but they would book a manicure at a salon. For everyday use, manicure is the standard term for the service; manicuring sounds technical, while nail care is informal and self-directed.

Common collocations

Etymology

From French 'manicure', formed from Latin 'manus' (hand) + 'cura' (care). The word entered English in the 19th century, first referring to a person who cared for hands and nails, then shifting to the treatment itself. The extended use for trimming plants developed in the early 20th century.