groom

noun countable

UK /ɡruːm/

Word Forms

singular	groom
plural	grooms

1
a bridegroom
Synonyms and related words
Engagements and weddings
a/the big day
bachelor party
banns
2
someone who looks after horses
Synonyms and related words
Horse riding
bareback
be in the saddle
break in

groom

noun countable

US /ɡrum/

Word Forms

singular	groom
plural	grooms

1
a bridegroom
Synonyms and related words
Engagements and weddings
a/the big day
bachelorette party
bachelor party
2
someone who takes care of horses
Synonyms and related words
Horse riding
bareback
be in the saddle
break in

groom

verb

UK /ɡruːm/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	groom
he/she/it	grooms
present participle	grooming
past tense	groomed
past participle	groomed

1
transitive to clean and brush an animal, especially a horse or a dog
Synonyms and related words
To make an animal clean or cleaner
dip
groom
grooming
1. 1a
  intransitive/transitive if an animal grooms itself or another animal, it cleans itself or another animal
  Synonyms and related words
  To make an animal clean or cleaner
  dip
  groom
  grooming
2. 1b
  intransitive/transitive to look after your appearance by keeping your hair, body, and clothes clean and tidy
  Synonyms and related words
  To make yourself look more attractive
  groom
  preen
  doll up
  Synonyms and related words
  Washing or cleaning yourself or someone else
  ablutions
  bath
  bath
2
transitive to prepare someone for a particular job or activity by giving them special training and attention
The 15-year-old schoolgirl is being groomed for stardom.
Synonyms and related words
To teach someone something
teach
train
educate
1. 2a
  to prepare a child for illegal activity, especially sexual activity or selling drugs
  Many times children are groomed by predators online.
  The men were convicted of systematically grooming and sexually abusing teenage girls.
  Gangs are increasingly using violence to groom children to be used as drug mules.
  Synonyms and related words
  Sex crimes
  abuse
  acquaintance rape
  casting couch
  Synonyms and related words
  To commit a specific crime
  abduct
  abet
  aid and abet
3
transitive to make snow firm for a path
Synonyms and related words
Road surfaces and features
asphalt
bitumen
blacktop

groom

verb

US /ɡrum/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	groom
he/she/it	grooms
present participle	grooming
past tense	groomed
past participle	groomed

1
intransitive/transitive to take care of your appearance by keeping your hair, body, and clothes clean and neat
Dan spends hours grooming in front of the mirror.
Synonyms and related words
To make yourself look more attractive
groom
tidy yourself up
smarten up
Synonyms and related words
Washing or cleaning yourself or someone else
ablutions
bath
bath
1. 1a
  intransitive/transitive if an animal grooms itself or another animal, it cleans itself or another animal
  Synonyms and related words
  To make an animal clean or cleaner
  dip
  groom
  grooming
2. 1b
  transitive to clean and brush an animal, especially a horse or a dog
  Synonyms and related words
  To make an animal clean or cleaner
  dip
  groom
  grooming
2
transitive to prepare someone for a particular job or activity by giving them special training and attention
The 15-year-old schoolgirl is being groomed for stardom.
Synonyms and related words
To teach someone something
teach
train
educate
1. 2a
  to prepare a child for illegal activity, especially sexual activity or selling drugs
  Many times children are groomed by predators online.
  The men were convicted of systematically grooming and sexually abusing teenage girls.
  Gangs are increasingly using violence to groom children to be used as drug mules.
  Synonyms and related words
  Sex crimes
  abuse
  acquaintance rape
  casting couch
3
transitive to make snow firm for a path
Synonyms and related words
Road surfaces and features
asphalt
bitumen
blacktop