comb
kohm
Comb (noun) means a flat toothed tool used for untangling, styling, or holding hair in place. Example: “She ran a comb through her wet hair before leaving the house.”
noun
1
A flat toothed tool used for untangling, styling, or holding hair in place.
"She ran a comb through her wet hair before leaving the house."
2
The fleshy red crest on top of a rooster's or hen's head.
"The prize rooster had a bright red comb and glossy black feathers."
3
The structure of six-sided wax cells bees build to store honey and raise their young; a honeycomb.
"The beekeeper carefully lifted a frame heavy with comb."
verb
1
To groom hair or fur with a comb.
"He combed his hair flat before the interview."
2
To search an area thoroughly and systematically.
"Police combed the woods for hours looking for the missing hiker."
"We combed through hundreds of old photos to find the right one."
How to use comb
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA toothed tool for hair, a rooster's crest, or (as a verb) to search something carefully and thoroughly.
Common pairings
comb through
comb your hair
honeycomb
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Word forms
- Plural
- combs
- Third person singular
- combs
- Past tense
- combed
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She ran a _____ through her wet hair before leaving the house.
Etymology
From Old English camb, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "tooth" — the same root behind the word "cam" in mechanics.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for comb
See all rhymes for comb →Frequently asked questions
What does “comb” mean?
The word “comb” means a flat toothed tool used for untangling, styling, or holding hair in place. In plain terms, a toothed tool for hair, a rooster's crest, or (as a verb) to search something carefully and thoroughly.
How do you pronounce “comb”?
“Comb” is pronounced kohm (/koʊm/ in IPA).
How do you use “comb” in a sentence?
Here is “comb” used in a sentence: “She ran a comb through her wet hair before leaving the house.”
What part of speech is “comb”?
Depending on how it is used, “comb” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “comb” come from?
The word “comb” comes from Old English. From Old English camb, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "tooth" — the same root behind the word "cam" in mechanics.
Is “comb” a common word?
“Comb” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “comb” have?
“Comb” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flat toothed tool used for untangling, styling, or holding hair in place.
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