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nose

facial organ / to pry / to move cautiously
Transitive VerbIntransitive Verb[C/U] Both
pl: nosespast: nosedpp: noseding: nosing

Countable when referring to the physical organ on a face. Uncountable when referring to the general sense of smell or olfactory ability.

Meanings

Nounfacial organ

The part of the face above the mouth and below the eyes, used for smelling and breathing.

She has a small, pointed nose.

Transitive Verbto pry
[~ someone][~ something]

To pry into someone's private affairs or search for something in a curious way.

He was nosing around in the attic looking for old letters.

Intransitive Verbto move cautiously

To move forward slowly and cautiously.

The car nosed into the driveway.

Examples

My nose is cold.

He has a big nose.

Touch your nose.

She wiped her nose with a tissue.

The dog followed the scent with its nose.

I had a runny nose all morning.

The detective noticed a small scar on the suspect's nose.

Detective

The chef has a nose for the finest spices.

Gourmet

The historian noted how the profile of the nose changed over eras.

History

I apologize for sticking my nose into your private matters.

Apology

Phrasal Verbs

nose around

to search a place or investigate someone's private affairs in a curious or prying manner

She spent the afternoon nosing around the antique shop for hidden treasures.

nose into

to interfere in or pry into something that is not one's business

He has a tendency to nose into other people's personal lives.

nose out

to defeat someone by a very small margin

The runner managed to nose out his opponent just before the finish line.

Related Words

Last Updated: May 2026Report an Error