noun · verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˌfaɪntuːθ ˈkəʊm/
General-American:/ˌfaɪnˌtuθ ˈkoʊm/
General-American:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -əʊm
1
noun
Meaning 1
A comb with fine, closely spaced teeth, especially one used for removing head lice and their nits (eggs) from the hair; a nit comb.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: toothcomb
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A means of making a thorough search.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
Examples
The police went through his possessions with a fine-tooth comb.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: toothcomb
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To comb or go through (hair, an animal's fur, etc.) with a comb having fine, closely spaced teeth.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
To search (something or somewhere) meticulously.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: comb over, comb through, leave no stone unturned, pore over, scour, turn upside down
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
a method of examining in minute detail
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
he went over the contract with a fine-tooth comb looking for loopholes
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: fine-toothed comb
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: examination, scrutiny
6
noun
Meaning 6
a comb with teeth set close together
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: fine-toothed comb
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: comb
History
Etymology
The noun is derived from fine (“particularly slender”) + tooth (“sharp projection”) + comb. The verb is derived from the noun.
Across languages
Translations
35 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Chinese Mandarin:
篦
(bì)
— comb with fine, closely-spaced teeth
Finnish:
tiheäpiikkinen kampa
— comb with fine, closely-spaced teeth
Finnish:
tiheä kampa
— comb with fine, closely-spaced teeth
French:
peigne fin
— comb with fine, closely-spaced teeth
Irish:
cíor mhín
— comb with fine, closely-spaced teeth
Korean:
참빗
(chambit)
— comb with fine, closely-spaced teeth
Polish:
grzebień z ząbkami
— comb with fine, closely-spaced teeth
