schnozzle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal
Quick answer
What does “schnozzle” mean?
An informal, often humorous term for a person's nose.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An informal, often humorous term for a person's nose.
Can be used humorously or affectionately, implying the nose is large, prominent, or noteworthy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word exists in both varieties but is strongly influenced by American Yiddish/Humorous slang tradition. It may be perceived as slightly more niche or esoteric in mainstream UK English.
Connotations
Humorous, jocular, potentially self-deprecating or endearing. In the US, it might be more readily recognized due to its use by comedians and in vaudeville-inspired humour.
Frequency
Low frequency in both. Arguably slightly higher recognition in AmE due to its more established place in American comedic lexicon (e.g., comedian Jimmy Durante).
Grammar
How to Use “schnozzle” in a Sentence
He has a (big) schnozzle.Get your schnozzle out of my business.a punch on the schnozzleVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely unlikely to be used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used only in very informal, humorous, or friendly conversation. 'Look at the size of his schnozzle!'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “schnozzle”
- Using it in formal writing or speech.
- Misspelling as 'schnozle', 'shnozzle'.
- Using it without an understanding of its jocular tone.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not inherently rude, but it is very informal and can be mildly offensive if used to describe someone's nose without their consent or in a mocking way. Its tone is primarily humorous.
They are synonyms. 'Schnoz' is simply a clipped, even more informal version of 'schnozzle'. Both have the same meaning and register.
Absolutely not. It is slang and belongs only to informal, conversational, or humorous contexts.
It entered American English from Yiddish 'shnoytsl', which in turn came from German 'Schnauze', meaning 'snout' or 'muzzle'.
An informal, often humorous term for a person's nose.
Schnozzle is usually informal in register.
Schnozzle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃnɒz.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃnɑː.zəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on the schnozzle (directly on the nose)”
- “follow one's schnozzle (to follow one's instinct or nose)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'nozzle' on a hose; a 'schnozzle' is the 'nozzle' on your face for breathing.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE NOSE IS A PROMINENT OBJECT/TOOL.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'schnozzle' be MOST appropriate?