Nose Definition Nose Definition 1

Nose (noun) — is the part of the face that protrudes above the mouth, typically containing two openings called nostrils. It serves as the primary organ for smelling and is also a crucial part of the respiratory system, allowing air to enter and exit the lungs. 

The nose helps filter, warm, and humidify the air we breathe and plays a role in speech resonance.

Part of speech:
Noun (countable)
Phonetic transcription (IPA):
/nəʊz/
CEFR level:
A1
Word frequency:

How to Pronounce “Nose”?

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Tips for “nose” pronunciation: 

Start with the “n” sound by placing your tongue behind your upper teeth, followed by a long “o” like in “bowl” by rounding your lips, and end with the “z”.

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Contextual Usage: How to Use “Nose” in a Sentence?

Take a look at how you can operate this word within the sentences to share certain information in oral or written form with your family, friends and colleagues.

She touched her nose playfully after hearing the funny joke.
The kitten nuzzled my hand with its soft little nose.
He lifted his nose proudly after winning the award.
The children followed the sweet scent with their curious noses.
I smiled as the puppy sniffed my nose gently in greeting.

What Are Synonyms for the Word “Nose”?

You have just covered information about the “nose” in sentences, and we hope that you remembered everything correctly. Let us move on and define a “nose” through its synonymous expressions!

Related nouns: nostril nasal cavity sniffer

Synonyms (contextual): beak proboscis snout

Common collocations: stuffy nose nose bleed runny nose

“Nose” Word Formation and Description in Context

Apart from the sentences, you can use the word “nose” in combination with other parts of speech in English to create new, meaningful language units in the form of collocations.

With adjectives: long nose sharp nose red nose cold nose

With verbs: blow nose wipe nose smell with nose scratch nose

With nouns (noun + noun): nose tip nose piercing nose job nose guard

Idioms and Phrases with “Nose”

This word often appears in phrases with meanings that aren’t immediately obvious. Explore their explanations and examples to use them in everyday life.

  • To poke/stick your nose into — To interfere in someone else’s business, life, etc.

    Don’t poke your nose into my personal life.
  • Under your nose — Something is nearby or happening very close to you, often unnoticed.

      The keys were right under your nose the whole time!
  • To look down your nose at — To act as if you are superior to someone or something.

      She looks down her nose at anyone who doesn’t share her taste in art.
  • To put your nose to the grindstone — Really work hard and focus on a task.

      If you put your nose to the grindstone, you’ll finish the project on time.
  • To have a nose for (something) — Unique natural ability to notice or find something.

      He has a nose for good deals and never misses a bargain.

Fun Quiz: “Nose” in Everyday English

You already know about the “nose” definition, so what about checking your knowledge in our intellectual game? Apply everything you understand and learn even more as a result!

Type 1: True/false statements:
Choose the right answer:
1
Your nose helps filter the air you breathe.
2
Every human nose has the same shape.
3
Sneezing is one way the nose protects the body from irritants.
Type 2: Right word order:
Put these words in the right order:
1
nose
His
all
ran
day
2
always
books
her
in
nose
She
has
3
sneeze
nose
your
sometimes
makes
Dust
Type 3: Choose the correct option
Select the answer that fits best:
1
The little boy has a small red nose in winter. Why is the boy’s nose red?
2
She has a very good nose for perfume. What does this expression suggest about her?
3
The clown painted his nose bright red. Why might a clown paint his nose red?

Enjoy personalized learning!

Saying “Nose” Across Languages

Training how to spell “nose” and properly pronounce it will show you some similarities between different language groups, thus boosting your general knowledge and perception.

Language Word for “Nose”
Flag Spanish Spanish   Nez
Flag French French   Nariz
Flag German German   Nase

All About the Nose: Impressive Facts

Today, we have covered a lot of different information about the word “nose,” but still, we have something left that will definitely surprise you. Check out these unbelievable facts about this part of our bodies!

  • Human noses can detect over a trillion scents

    Our olfactory system functions almost like a highly sophisticated chemical detector, yet we tend to overlook its capabilities. The notion of a human nose perceiving about 10,000 distinct odors is outdated — we have the incredible ability to recognize more than a trillion scents.
  • Some people have noses that are “super smellers”

    For people with hyperosmia, routine scents such as perfume or even cooking spices can be extremely overwhelming — a case of just too much of a good thing. Books and articles published on the subject of hyperosmia reveal that such a condition enables people to detect scents many times more than the average person.
  • Your sense of smell affects taste

    Odors sniffed by the nasal cavity determine close to 80% of taste. This explains the bizarre phenomenon of food losing its flavor during a cold — people wonder why it happens when the truth is that the nose is blocked.
  • Sneezes can travel faster than 160 kilometers per hour

    When your nose gets rid of something that bothers it, air and tiny droplets zoom out. There’s a huge expulsion of particles in the order of thousands. One small sneeze can put countless particles into the air. Spreading germs can be avoided if you cover your nose properly.
  • Nose shape is linked to climate

    From anthropological studies, it has been observed that nose shapes undergo evolution based on the area we live in. People in hot and moist places have wider noses, which aid in body cooling and facilitate easier airflow. On the other hand, people residing in chilly and arid places have thinner noses, which are more efficient at warming and moisturizing the air.

Famous Quotes Featuring “Nose”

These quotations show how writers and thinkers have used the image of the “nose” word to illustrate deeper truths about life, society, and personal growth.

“If your nose is up in the air, you cannot see where you are going.”

— Mason Cooley

Explanation: This quote warns how pride affects someone’s awareness. People who are overly proud and look down on others are likely to lose sight of their path. Pride is also expected to cloud a person’s judgment and lead them into a situation where humility could have helped them take a step forward.

“I had a couple of friends, but I was mostly the kid with his nose in a book.”

George R. R. Martin

Explanation: The author views his childhood as a period where books served as his companions. This image captures a reserved or introverted child who sought escapism and companionship in narratives rather than social interactions.

“In small towns, people scent the wind with noses of uncommon keenness.”

— Stephen King

Explanation: He reveals how the connected aspects of small-town life make people notice and keep track of what others are doing. In such close-knit communities, “gossip travels fast.” People metaphorically have a heightened “sense of smell,” and even the smallest changes cannot be unnoticed in the strictest sense.

“All men are born with a nose and ten fingers, but no one was born with a knowledge of God.”

— Voltaire

Explanation: Voltaire delineates the distinction between innate qualities and those embraced through nurture. In contrast to physical features, which are given, religious insights are cultivated through our surroundings, education, and journey. It signals that profound understanding requires effort and is not effortless.

“It is fortunate that diplomats have long noses since they usually cannot see beyond them.”

— Paul Claudel

Explanation: This French poet satirically attacks the shortsightedness of diplomats. The image of the “long nose” implies a shallow, immediate focus. It hints at their inability to deal with more meaningful or long-term issues and at their tendency to overlook the bigger picture.