nose
nohz
Nose (noun) means the part of the face that contains the nostrils and is used for breathing and smelling. Example: “He rubbed his nose after bumping into the door.”
noun
1
The part of the face that contains the nostrils and is used for breathing and smelling.
"He rubbed his nose after bumping into the door."
"Her nose was cold from standing out in the snow."
"The baby wrinkled her nose at the smell of the broccoli."
2
The projecting front or tip of an object, such as an aircraft or vehicle.
"The nose of the plane lifted as it took off."
"Painted on the nose of the old bomber was a smiling shark."
"The nose of the train was dented in the collision with a barrier."
3
A person's sense of smell, or the ability to detect or judge something, especially wine or a story worth investigating.
"The critic has a great nose for a good Bordeaux."
"The journalist has a nose for a scandal."
"Our dog has a good nose and can find a hidden biscuit in seconds."
verb
1
To move slowly and carefully forward, front end first.
"The car nosed its way out of the tight parking spot."
"The little boat nosed slowly into the harbour through the thick fog."
"The driver nosed the lorry carefully through the narrow village lane."
2
To pry or snoop into something, often as "nose around" or "nose into."
"Stop nosing into my personal messages."
"My neighbour is always nosing around to see who has visited me."
"She caught her little brother nosing into her diary again."
How to use nose
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe body part you breathe and smell with, and by extension anything that pokes forward or the instinct to pry.
Common mistake
As a verb meaning "to pry," it's usually followed by "around" or "into" — "nose into someone's business," not just "nose someone's business."
Common pairings
nose around
nose for news
blow your nose
nose dive
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Word forms
- Plural
- noses
- Third person singular
- noses
- Past tense
- nosed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He rubbed his _____ after bumping into the door.
Etymology
From Old English nosu, going back to a very old Indo-European root for "nose" or "nostril" shared with Latin nāsus and German Nase.
Related words
Rhymes for nose
See all rhymes for nose →Frequently asked questions
What does “nose” mean?
The word “nose” means the part of the face that contains the nostrils and is used for breathing and smelling. In plain terms, the body part you breathe and smell with, and by extension anything that pokes forward or the instinct to pry.
How do you pronounce “nose”?
“Nose” is pronounced nohz ([noʊ̯z] in IPA).
How do you use “nose” in a sentence?
Here is “nose” used in a sentence: “He rubbed his nose after bumping into the door.”
What is another word for “nose”?
Words with a similar meaning to “nose” include beak, beezer, boko, conk, hooter and honker.
What part of speech is “nose”?
Depending on how it is used, “nose” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “nose” come from?
The word “nose” comes from Latin. From Old English nosu, going back to a very old Indo-European root for "nose" or "nostril" shared with Latin nāsus and German Nase.
Is “nose” a common word?
“Nose” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “nose” have?
“Nose” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the part of the face that contains the nostrils and is used for breathing and smelling.
What is the difference between the nose and the nostrils?
The nose is the whole structure on the front of the face, including the bony bridge, the tip, and the internal cavity. The nostrils are the two openings at the base of the nose through which air passes. So the nostrils are part of the nose, not the same thing.
What is the nose used for?
The nose has two main jobs: breathing and smelling. It draws air into the lungs while warming, moistening, and filtering it, and it houses the receptors that detect smell. Because smell shapes taste, the nose also plays a large part in how we experience the flavour of food.
What are the main parts of the nose?
The visible nose has a bony bridge at the top, softer cartilage forming the tip, and two nostrils below. Inside sits the nasal cavity, divided by a wall called the septum and lined with tissue and tiny hairs that trap dust and help filter the air we breathe.
Why is nose breathing considered healthy?
Breathing through the nose is generally better than through the mouth because the nose filters out dust and particles, warms and humidifies incoming air, and helps regulate airflow. This protects the lungs and makes breathing more efficient, which is why nasal congestion feels so uncomfortable when it strikes.
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