rhinoplasty: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, medical, technical
Quick answer
What does “rhinoplasty” mean?
A surgical operation to reshape the nose.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical operation to reshape the nose.
Plastic surgery performed on the nose for reconstructive purposes following injury or disease, or for cosmetic purposes to change its shape.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use 'rhinoplasty' as the standard term. 'Nose job' is the common informal equivalent in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical in technical contexts. In informal contexts, 'nose job' carries the same connotations in both varieties, sometimes with a slightly flippant tone.
Frequency
Equally common in medical and cosmetic surgery contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “rhinoplasty” in a Sentence
undergo rhinoplastyperform rhinoplasty (on)have rhinoplastyspecialise in rhinoplastyopt for rhinoplastyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rhinoplasty” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The surgeon will rhinoplast? (Not used as a verb; use 'perform rhinoplasty').
American English
- He decided to get his nose done. (No verb form 'to rhinoplasty' exists).
adjective
British English
- The rhinoplasty procedure was a success.
- She is a leading rhinoplasty consultant.
American English
- Rhinoplasty surgery can improve breathing.
- He sought a rhinoplasty specialist.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in medical/healthcare business contexts discussing services, costs, or insurance coverage.
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and surgical literature and textbooks.
Everyday
Used in conversations about cosmetic surgery or medical procedures, but the informal 'nose job' is more frequent.
Technical
The standard term in otolaryngology (ENT) and plastic surgery.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rhinoplasty”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rhinoplasty”
- Mispronunciation: /riːnoʊˈplæsti/ (incorrect long 'ee' sound).
- Misspelling: 'rhynoplasty', 'rhenoplasty'.
- Confusing it with 'rhinorrhea' (runny nose) or 'rhinitis' (inflammation).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While commonly associated with cosmetic changes, rhinoplasty is also performed for functional (reconstructive) reasons, such as repairing a deviated septum to improve breathing or correcting damage from injury.
Rhinoplasty refers to surgery that changes the shape of the nose. Septoplasty specifically corrects a deviated septum (the wall between the nostrils). The two are often combined in a procedure called 'septorhinoplasty'.
Initial swelling and bruising typically subside within two weeks, but the final shape of the nose can take up to a year to fully settle as subtle internal swelling decreases.
Yes, it is the formal medical term. In everyday informal conversation, people are more likely to say 'nose job' or 'nose surgery'.
A surgical operation to reshape the nose.
Rhinoplasty: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrʌɪnə(ʊ)plasti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈraɪnoʊˌplæsti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to have a nose job (informal equivalent)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RHINO' (like the animal with a prominent nose) + 'PLASTY' (forming/molding). You are molding/reshaping a nose.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE NOSE IS A SCULPTABLE OBJECT / RESHAPING IS CORRECTING.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common informal synonym for 'rhinoplasty'?