comb

1 of 3

noun

ˈkōm 

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

: currycomb

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

: honeycomb

combed

ˈkōmd 

adjective

comblike

ˈkōm-ˌlīk 

adjective

comb

2 of 3

verb

combed; combing; combs

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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

comb

3 of 3

abbreviation

1

combination; combined; combining

2

combustion

Synonyms

Verb

• dig (through)
• dredge
• hunt (through)
• rake
• ransack
• rifle
• rummage
• scour
• search
• sort (through)
• troll

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

Noun

Viking Connections Across Europe Workers crafted reindeer antler into goods such as combs, which were essential items during Medieval Europe, Sindbæk explains. —Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 27 Feb. 2025

Plus, this vegan and cruelty free product has a nifty tool that comes with it: a double-sided spoolie with flat bristles to help comb brush hairs into place, with no pilling left behind. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2025

Verb

In order to find the best hydrating serums for dry skin, our team combed the market for options from top brands. —Claire Sullivan, WWD, 19 Mar. 2025

Dozens of investigators from six different law enforcement agencies were combing the crime scene at the Mississippi Ridge Boarding Kennels with body cameras rolling. —Jonathan Vigliotti, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing comb

• comb jelly
• comb out
• comb-over
• fine-tooth comb
• go over/through (something) with a fine-tooth comb
• hot comb

Rhymes for comb

• brome
• chrome
• combe
• crome
• dome
• foam
• gnome
• holm
• loam
• roam
• tome
• acrosome

Kids Definition

comb

1 of 2 noun

ˈkōm 

1

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

3

: honeycomb entry 1

combed

ˈkōmd 

adjective

comb

2 of 2 verb

1

: 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