groom

Everyday

1. A man on his wedding day, or a man who has just got married; also called the bridegroom. tree →
2. A person whose job is to look after horses: feeding, brushing and cleaning them. tree →
3. (verb) To brush and clean an animal's fur or coat, or (for animals) to clean themselves. tree →
4. (verb) To make yourself neat and tidy: «well-groomed». tree →
5. (verb) To prepare someone for a job: «groomed to be captain». tree →
6. (safety) When an adult wrongly makes friends with a child to trick and harm them, this is called grooming; children should tell a trusted adult if someone online or nearby asks for secrets. tree →

In the lessons

At weddings the bride and groom make their promises. At stables a groom cares for horses. In science monkeys groom each other. In online safety lessons children learn that grooming is a danger sign: secrets, gifts and asks to meet should be told to a trusted adult. Phrases: «bride and groom», «groom a horse», «well-groomed», «groomed for».

Examples

• The bride and groom danced first. tree →
• The groom brushed the horse until it shone. tree →
• Cats groom themselves with their tongues. tree →
• Monkeys groom each other to stay clean and friendly. tree →
• He was always well-groomed for school. tree →
• The young player is being groomed for the first team. tree →
• If an online stranger asks you to keep secrets, tell an adult: it could be grooming. tree →
• On the back seat a little smart groom balanced himself. tree →

Note

Countable noun, regular verb. Bridegroom is the full form. Noun for the activity: grooming. «Grooming» in safety lessons is a serious word; it is never the child's fault.