comb
(koʊm )
Word forms: combs , combing , combed
1. countable noun B1
A comb is a flat piece of plastic or metal with narrow pointed teeth along one side, which you use to tidy your hair.
2. verb B1
When you comb your hair, you tidy it using a comb.
Salvatore combed his hair carefully. [VERB noun]
Her reddish hair was cut short and neatly combed. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: untangle, arrange, groom, dress
3. verb
If you comb a place, you search everywhere in it in order to find someone or something.
Officers combed the woods for the murder weapon. [VERB noun + for]
They fanned out and carefully combed the temple grounds. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: search, hunt through, sweep, rake
4. verb
If you comb through information, you look at it very carefully in order to find something.
Eight police officers then spent two years combing through the evidence. [VERB + through]
5. See also fine-tooth comb
Image of comb
© Natan86, Shutterstock
Idioms:
with a fine-tooth comb or with a fine-toothed comb
very carefully and with great attention to detail
I have taken the responsibility of going through Ed's personal papers and letters with a fine-tooth comb.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Collocations:
comb hair comb the area comb the beach wide-toothed comb
I am more likely to have glossy shins than combed hair, and anointed arms are probably neck and neck with brushed teeth.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The way he goes about poisoning women and plotting fires he makes it seem as natural as combing hair.
The Sun (2014)
Then comb hair into a ponytail and tie.
The Sun (2013)
Police joined in the search and officers went up in a helicopter to comb the area.
The Sun
More than 100 officers, search and rescue experts and other specialist volunteers continue to comb the area.
The Sun
They comb the area and discover traces of blood.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
The family frantically combed the area before informing police, sparking a huge search operation.
The Sun
Throughout the day soldiers on foot combed the area for rebels.
Times, Sunday Times
Fires are permitted in existing hearths; bring your own wood or comb the beach for driftwood.
Times, Sunday Times
Specialist search officers, the coastguard, a police helicopter and mountain rescue volunteers have combed the beach, clifftops and stretches of railway line.
Times, Sunday Times
He found his first specimen at the age of 10, went on to do a degree in geology and has been combing the beach ever since.
Times, Sunday Times
Surprised locals combed the beach for the sea cucumbers because they are considered a delicacy.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
During the summer, this beach can get very busy with people combing the beach for hermit crabs and small fishes.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Use a wide-toothed comb to ensure even distribution.
Times, Sunday Times
Use a wide-toothed comb to guide the hair into a ponytail.
The Sun
Comb with a wide-toothed comb then wrap hair in foil.
The Sun
Use a wide-toothed comb and brush from the ends up to the top.
The Sun
Translations:
Chinese: 梳子, 梳理
Japanese: 櫛, 櫛でとかす
- personal pronoun
- personal protective equipment
- personal reasons
- personal reply
- personals
- personal sacrifice
- personal safety
- personal space
- personal stereo
- personal stories
- personal style
- personal taste
- personal testimony
- personal touch
- personal tragedy
- personal triumph
- personal use
- personal vendetta
- personal view
- personal wealth
- persona non grata
- personification
- personify
- personnel
- personnel administration