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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
Additionally, the nails are neatly packaged in an ultra-cute pink box equipped with a nail file, cuticle pusher and nail glue.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 9 May 2024
Electric nail files that sharpen, point, shape, and more.
—Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 22 Jan. 2024
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
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
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 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
nail file
noun
: a small flat file (as of metal or cardboard) that is used for shaping fingernails
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