nail file

noun

: a small narrow instrument (as of metal or cardboard) with a rough or emery surface that is used for shaping fingernails

Examples of nail file in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This portable electric nail file is great for beginners who are looking to get their claws into perfect nails this year. Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 22 Jan. 2024 This luxury grooming kit includes 16 stainless steel grooming tools, including various nail clippers, tweezers, nail files, scissors, and more. Jessica Comstock, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2024 Moss recommends leaving a basket in the bathroom or guest room closet with all the things a visitor might forget to bring, such as toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, body lotion, shaving cream, a mini sewing kit, hair dryer, nail file, even nail polish and polish remover. Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Washington Post, 14 Dec. 2023 Most press-on nail packs come with a nail file; put it to use to get the most seamless fit possible. Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 15 Dec. 2023 Ready for anything, the Micra is small enough to fit on a keychain and features 10 tools: a knife, scissors, bottle opener, Philips screwdriver, ruler, nail cleaner, nail file, tweezers, medium screwdriver, and an extra-small screwdriver. Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2023 Celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen says that a nail technician will first use a coarse nail file to remove the shiny top layer and roughen up the surface. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2023 While tearing out some floorboards inside a 30,000-square-foot former elementary and junior high school last summer, crews found a light pink plastic clutch full of notes, a handkerchief, a nail file, pencils, photos, a mini diary and a calendar dating back to April 1959. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2022 This set includes all the nail prep essentials: nail file, nail buffer, nail clipper, clean up brush, and a nail polish remover pot. L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nail file.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nail file was in 1862

Dictionary Entries Near nail file

Cite this Entry

“Nail file.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nail%20file. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nail file

noun
: a small flat file (as of metal or cardboard) that is used for shaping fingernails
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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