Word
toenail
Phoneticstoe·nail, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtoʊˌneɪɫ/
UK/tˈəʊneɪl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. the hard, flat cover at the end of each toe that protects the soft skin under it.
n. the hard keratinous plate covering the tip of each toe, protecting the underlying tissue.
Examples
“I cut my toenails every two weeks.”
“She hurt her big toenail while hiking and had to bandage her foot for a week.”
“After months of neglect during his recovery, his toenails had thickened and yellowed, a small but telling sign of how long he had been confined indoors.”
Examples
simple
“I cut my toenails every two weeks.”
contextual
“She hurt her big toenail while hiking and had to bandage her foot for a week.”
complex
“After months of neglect during his recovery, his toenails had thickened and yellowed, a small but telling sign of how long he had been confined indoors.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “toenail” in context.
Verb
01. clean toenail
“Wash your feet and clean that toenail well.”
verb + noun
02. cut toenail
“I cut my toenail too short and it hurts.”
verb + noun
03. paint toenail
“My sister wants to paint her toenail blue.”
verb + noun
04. toenail breaks
“My long toenail breaks when I run.”
noun + verb
05. toenail grows
“My toenail grows very fast in summer.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. ingrown toenail
“My big toe hurts because I have an ingrown toenail.”
adj + noun
07. long toenail
“You should cut that long toenail before it breaks.”
adj + noun
08. short toenail
“He has one short toenail on his left foot.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. toenail clippers
“Use these toenail clippers to cut them.”
noun + noun
10. cut your toenails straight
“You should cut your toenails straight across.”
11. have an ingrown toenail
“I can't walk well because I have an ingrown toenail.”
12. paint your toenails pink
“Let's paint your toenails pink for the summer.”
Real-World Examples
“Researchers in Aberdeen are exploring the potential of toenails as a means to identify the origins of blood cancer.” “Horrifyingly, nearly 300 people said that their nemesis clipped their toenails at work.” “The novel describes everything from her eyelashes to her toenails.” “Scientists say they have found a new way to predict lung cancer - by looking at a person's toenail clippings.” Etymology
From toe + nail.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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