postnasal drip: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumMedical / Layperson (common in everyday health discussions)
Quick answer
What does “postnasal drip” mean?
The sensation or condition of mucus dripping or flowing from the back of the nose into the throat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The sensation or condition of mucus dripping or flowing from the back of the nose into the throat.
A common symptom of various upper respiratory conditions (like colds, allergies, or sinusitis) where excess mucus accumulates and drips down the pharynx, often causing throat irritation, coughing, or the need to clear the throat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both varieties use the same term.
Connotations
Neutral medical/lay term in both. Slightly more formal than simply saying "catarrh" or "mucus in the throat".
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, given the universal nature of the symptom.
Grammar
How to Use “postnasal drip” in a Sentence
Patient + suffer from + postnasal dripCondition/Allergy + cause + postnasal dripMedicine + alleviate + postnasal dripVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “postnasal drip” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The congestion began to postnasally drip, making her throat sore.
- My nose constantly postnasal drips when I have hay fever.
American English
- The allergy medication stopped my sinuses from postnasal dripping.
- If it postnasal drips for more than a week, see a doctor.
adverb
British English
- [Extremely rare as an adverb. Not standard.]
American English
- [Extremely rare as an adverb. Not standard.]
adjective
British English
- She had a persistent postnasal-drip cough.
- He described the postnasal drip sensation vividly.
American English
- He complained of postnasal drip symptoms.
- The postnasal drip feeling is awful.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like pharmaceutical marketing or employee sick leave discussions.
Academic
Common in medical, nursing, and pharmacology texts and research.
Everyday
Very common in personal health discussions, pharmacy consultations, and general practitioner visits.
Technical
Standard term in otolaryngology (ENT), allergology, and general practice.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “postnasal drip”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “postnasal drip”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “postnasal drip”
- Mis-spelling as 'post-nasal drip' (hyphen is sometimes used but less common in modern medical writing), 'post nasal drip' (open compound), or confusing it with a runny nose (anterior rhinorrhea).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a symptom or condition caused by other issues like allergies, colds, sinus infections, or even certain medications.
A runny nose (anterior rhinorrhea) involves mucus exiting the front of the nose. Postnasal drip involves mucus draining down the back of the throat.
Yes, it is a very common cause of a chronic cough, especially one that worsens at night or upon waking, as the mucus irritates the throat.
Treatment targets the cause. It may include saline nasal sprays, antihistamines, decongestants, nasal steroid sprays, or treating underlying conditions like allergies or acid reflux.
The sensation or condition of mucus dripping or flowing from the back of the nose into the throat.
Postnasal drip is usually medical / layperson (common in everyday health discussions) in register.
Postnasal drip: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpəʊstˈneɪz(ə)l ˈdrɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpoʊstˈneɪz(ə)l ˈdrɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not typically used idiomatically]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think POST (after) NASAL (nose) DRIP (dripping). It's the drip that happens *after* the nasal passages, moving down the back of your throat.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A PLUMBING SYSTEM (with blockages, leaks, and drips).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of postnasal drip?