What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Groom vs Groomsman - What's the difference?

groom | groomsman |

As nouns the difference between groom and groomsman

is that groom is a man who is about to become or has recently become part of a married couple. Short form of bridegroom while groomsman is a man who serves as one of a number of attendants to a bridegroom at a wedding, one of whom is the best man.

As a verb groom

is to attend to one's appearance and clothing.

groom

English

Etymology 1

1604, short for . Germanic cognates include Icelandic gumi and Norwegian gume. Cognate to (human) from Proto-Indo-European via Latin homo. Second element reanalyzed as groom , "attendant."

Noun

(en noun)
  • A man who is about to become or has recently become part of a married couple. Short form of bridegroom.
    • Derived terms
    * groomdom * groomhood * groomship * groomzilla * child groom
    Coordinate terms
    * bride * bride-to-be
    Synonyms
    * bridegroom

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) grom, , though uncertain as *gr?an? was used typically of plants; its secondary meaning being "to turn green". Alternate etymology describes Middle English grom, grome'' as an alteration of , etc.), with the Middle Dutch and Old Icelandic cognates following similar variation of their respective forms.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A person who cares for horses.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-01
    • , author=Brian Hayes , title=Father of Fractals , volume=101, issue=1, page=62 , magazine= citation , passage=Toward the end of the war, Benoit was sent off on his own with forged papers; he wound up working as a horse groom at a chalet in the Loire valley. Mandelbrot describes this harrowing youth with great sangfroid.}}
  • One of several officers of the English royal household, chiefly in the lord chamberlain's department.
    • the groom''' of the chamber; the '''groom of the stole
    Synonyms
    * ostler

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To attend to one's appearance and clothing.
  • To care for horses or other animals by brushing and cleaning them.
  • To prepare someone for election or appointment.
  • * {{quote-magazine, title=What a waste
    • , date=2013-05-11, volume=407, issue=8835, page=12 , magazine= citation , passage=India is run by gerontocrats and epigones: grey hairs and groomed heirs.}}
  • To prepare a ski slope for skiers
  • To attempt to gain the trust of a minor or adult with the intention of subjecting them to abusive or exploitative behaviour such as sexual abuse, human trafficking or sexual slavery.
    • Related terms
    * groomed * grooming * bridegroom

    groomsman

    English

    Noun

    (wikipedia groomsman) (groomsmen)
  • A man who serves as one of a number of attendants to a bridegroom at a wedding, one of whom is the best man.
  • * 1866 , , Chapter 13,
    • The Scotchman, who assisted as groomsman , was of course the only one present, beyond the chief actors, who knew the true situation of the contracting parties.
  • * 1888 , , Chapter XIV: Consulting the Oracle,
    • "Philip," said Mr. Wilbur, "when I marry, I want you to stand up with me--to be my groomsman ."
  • * 1894 , , 6,
    • There were eight bridesmaids and groomsmen , and I asked McClellan and Franklin to be of the number, but distant service prevented them from coming, and Burnside and Reno, of the Ordnance, took their places.

    Coordinate terms

    * groomsmaid

    Anagrams

    * *