1
a
: a toothed instrument used especially for adjusting, cleaning, or confining hair
b
: a structure resembling such a comb
especially
: any of several toothed devices used in handling or ordering textile fibers
c
2
a
: a fleshy crest on the head of the domestic chicken and other domestic birds
b
: something (such as the ridge of a roof) resembling the comb of a cock
3
combed; combing; combs
1
: to draw a comb through for the purpose of arranging or cleaning
2
: to pass across with a scraping or raking action
3
a
: to eliminate (as with a comb) by a thorough going-over
b
: to search or examine systematically
police are combing the city
4
: to use in a combing action
1
of a wave or its crest
: to roll over or break into foam
2
: to make a thorough search
comb through the classified ads
Synonyms
Examples of comb in a Sentence
Verb
He combed back his hair.
The wool is combed before being spun into yarn.
We combed the beach for shells.
Recent Examples on the Web
Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
For hair tools, Marjan recommends a sectioning comb and settling clip to help you style.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 30 Nov. 2023
Essentially, two rotating cylinders with a total of 36 teeth turn against two combs to play a melody of 120 notes that resonate far outside the case.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2024
Use the scalloped side of the comb to gently massage the scalp in light, circular motions.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2024
In addition, the device yielded a flat comb, meaning the comb lines farther away in frequency from the center did not fade in intensity.
—IEEE Spectrum, 12 Mar. 2024
Unlike true jellyfish, comb jellies glide through the water, propelled by rows of fused, hair-like cilia called combs.
—Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024
Other notable items, in addition to the piano, included a silver Tiffany mustache comb that sold for £152,000, or $192,500.
—Emma Reynolds, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
More than 16,700 customers have left the comb a five-star rating.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2024
Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
Rescue effort continues in massive Taiwan earthquake Rescuers in Taiwan continue to comb through the rubble Thursday to find scores of people missing or trapped by a massive earthquake, while experts say a slew of aftershocks could make the search and rescue even more dangerous.
—USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Blichfeldt Andersen uses keywords to comb the GPT Store for chatbots that might be using material from his company’s books.
—Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2024
The company offers a system that lets advertisers comb through a database of recent, current and in-production content that is believed to attract the consumers most likely to be interested in their goods or services.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024
The bristles are still flexible and come in two lengths: The longer ones reach the scalp, while the shorter ones comb through the hair.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2024
Hair really combed, no hat, a nice little ponytail.
—Jonathan Dale / The Takeout, Quartz, 17 Mar. 2024
Presumably, photo agencies and content creators have been combing through the entire royal family's old photos as a direct response to the Kate Middleton conspiracy theories, though this is confusing for many reasons.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2024
Take a moment to comb through leaves and see if there’s any damage, discoloration, yellow browning leaves or wilting.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
Noun
For combs, prepare a solution of 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water in a vessel large enough to fully submerge the comb.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
For hair tools, Marjan recommends a sectioning comb and settling clip to help you style.
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 30 Nov. 2023
Essentially, two rotating cylinders with a total of 36 teeth turn against two combs to play a melody of 120 notes that resonate far outside the case.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2024
Use the scalloped side of the comb to gently massage the scalp in light, circular motions.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2024
In addition, the device yielded a flat comb, meaning the comb lines farther away in frequency from the center did not fade in intensity.
—IEEE Spectrum, 12 Mar. 2024
Unlike true jellyfish, comb jellies glide through the water, propelled by rows of fused, hair-like cilia called combs.
—Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024
Other notable items, in addition to the piano, included a silver Tiffany mustache comb that sold for £152,000, or $192,500.
—Emma Reynolds, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
More than 16,700 customers have left the comb a five-star rating.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2024
Verb
His hair, thick, black and shiny, is combed just right.
—Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
Rescue effort continues in massive Taiwan earthquake Rescuers in Taiwan continue to comb through the rubble Thursday to find scores of people missing or trapped by a massive earthquake, while experts say a slew of aftershocks could make the search and rescue even more dangerous.
—USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Blichfeldt Andersen uses keywords to comb the GPT Store for chatbots that might be using material from his company’s books.
—Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2024
The company offers a system that lets advertisers comb through a database of recent, current and in-production content that is believed to attract the consumers most likely to be interested in their goods or services.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024
The bristles are still flexible and come in two lengths: The longer ones reach the scalp, while the shorter ones comb through the hair.
—Deanna Pai, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2024
Hair really combed, no hat, a nice little ponytail.
—Jonathan Dale / The Takeout, Quartz, 17 Mar. 2024
Presumably, photo agencies and content creators have been combing through the entire royal family's old photos as a direct response to the Kate Middleton conspiracy theories, though this is confusing for many reasons.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2024
Take a moment to comb through leaves and see if there’s any damage, discoloration, yellow browning leaves or wilting.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'comb.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English camb; akin to Old High German kamb comb, Greek gomphos tooth
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of comb was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing comb
Articles Related to comb
Dictionary Entries Near comb
Cite this Entry
“Comb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comb. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
comb
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a toothed implement used to smooth and arrange the hair or worn in the hair to hold it in place
b
: a toothed instrument used for separating fibers (as of wool or flax)
2
: a fleshy crest on the head of the domestic chicken and some related birds
comb
2 of 2 verb1
: to smooth, arrange, or untangle with a comb
comb one's hair
comb wool
2
: to go over or through carefully in search of something or someone
we combed the beach for shells
More from Merriam-Webster on comb
Nglish: Translation of comb for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of comb for Arabic Speakers
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