1 A2 neutral
To remove tangles, knots, or objects such as lice from hair using a comb.
"It took her twenty minutes to comb out the knots after swimming in the sea."
separable
comb out
A2 neutral separable transitive
To use a comb to remove tangles, knots, or unwanted material from hair; also to search through and remove unwanted elements.
In plain English
To use a comb to get the knots and tangles out of your hair; or to carefully remove unwanted things from a group.
What does "comb out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To search through a group, list, or organisation and remove unwanted or unqualified members.
"The committee combed out the weakest proposals before the final vote."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Transparent in the grooming sense: to remove things by combing outward.
Actually means
To use a comb to get the knots and tangles out of your hair; or to carefully remove unwanted things from a group.
Usage tip
The literal sense (grooming) is A2 and very common. The figurative sense of removing unwanted elements from a group is B1–B2 and more formal. Used in military contexts historically ('combing out' those unfit for service).
Words that pair with "comb out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
tangles knots hair lice troops list
How to conjugate "comb out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
comb out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
combs out
he/she/it
Past simple
combed out
yesterday
Past participle
combed out
have + pp
-ing form
combing out
continuous
Hear "comb out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "comb out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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