nose
A1Neutral (used across all registers, formal to informal)
Definition
Meaning
The part of the face or head that contains the nostrils and organs of smell, and serves as a passage for air in breathing.
The projecting part of something (e.g., a plane, car, tool) resembling a nose; a keen sense of smell; a talent for detecting something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily countable and refers to the body part. When used as a verb, it often implies prying or moving cautiously. Can be used figuratively for perception (e.g., 'a nose for news').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in the core meaning. The verb form (e.g., 'to nose about/around') is equally common. 'Nose out' (to defeat by a narrow margin) is more common in AmE.
Connotations
Similar neutral-to-negative connotations in idioms (e.g., 'to look down one's nose', 'to poke one's nose in').
Frequency
Equal high frequency. The idiom 'on the nose' (exactly) is more common in AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] The dog nosed the door open.[V + adv/prep] The car nosed into the parking space.[V n] He nosed his way through the crowd.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “turn your nose up (at)”
- “look down your nose (at)”
- “keep your nose clean”
- “cut off your nose to spite your face”
- “lead someone by the nose”
- “have your nose in a book”
- “poke/stick your nose into”
- “right under your nose”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The company has a good nose for emerging markets.'
Academic
Primarily literal (biology, anatomy) or in literary analysis ('character's distinctive nose').
Everyday
Very high frequency for describing appearance, health (cold), or actions (blowing nose).
Technical
In aviation ('nose of the aircraft'), perfumery ('a perfumer's nose'), or anatomy.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The reporter nosed about for a story.
- She nosed the car carefully into the narrow lane.
American English
- The detective nosed around the abandoned warehouse.
- He nosed his pickup out into traffic.
adverb
British English
- The two cars met nose to nose in the alley.
- She fell nose first into the mud.
American English
- The skier went down the slope nose first.
- The boats were tied up nose to tail.
adjective
British English
- A nose job (rhinoplasty) is expensive.
- He took a nose dive into the pool.
American English
- The nose tackle is a key defensive position in football.
- The plane went into a nosedive.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a small nose.
- My nose is running because I have a cold.
- He broke his nose playing football.
- She wrinkled her nose at the strange smell.
- Please blow your nose with a tissue.
- The dog's nose is very wet.
- The new fragrance was developed by a perfumer with an exceptional nose.
- The journalist had a nose for a good scandal.
- The cyclist won the race by a nose.
- The government's new policy was formulated right under the noses of the opposition.
- He has a tendency to look down his nose at anyone without a university degree.
- The company nosed out its competitors to win the lucrative contract.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the word 'NO' written on your face, with the 'O' being the shape of your NOSE.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE NOSE IS A DETECTOR / PROBE ('nose out the truth', 'nose into affairs'). THE FACE IS A LANDSCAPE ('bridge of the nose').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not directly translate Russian idioms like 'вешать нос' (to become despondent) as 'to hang your nose'. Use 'to become downhearted'.
- The Russian 'нос' can also mean 'beak' of a bird, but in English 'nose' is primarily for mammals. Use 'beak' for birds.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'nose' as an uncountable noun (*'I have pain in my nose'). Correct: '...in my nose' or '...a noseache' (but 'noseache' is not standard; say 'my nose hurts').
- Confusing 'blow your nose' with 'explode your nose'.
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'to turn your nose up at something' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. As a verb, it means to search or inquire intrusively ('nose around') or to move cautiously forward ('the car nosed into the stream of traffic').
'Nose' is the general term for humans and many animals. 'Snout' specifically refers to the long, projecting nose and mouth of an animal like a pig or a dog.
No, the standard collocation is 'a runny nose'. 'Running nose' is a common learner mistake.
It's the bony upper part of the nose, between the eyes. The softer, lower part is the 'tip' or 'apex'.
Collections
Part of a collection
Body and Health
A1 · 49 words · Parts of the body and basic health vocabulary.