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¹nose

noun \ˈnōz\

: the part of the face or head through which a person or animal smells and breathes

: the ability to smell things : the sense of smell

: the front end or part of something

Full Definition of NOSE

a : the part of the face that bears the nostrils and covers the anterior part of the nasal cavity; broadly : this part together with the nasal cavity

b : the anterior part of the head at the top or end of the muzzle : snout, proboscis

a : the sense of smell : olfaction

b : aroma, bouquet

: the vertebrate olfactory organ

a : the forward end or projection of something

b : the projecting or working end of a tool

: the stem of a boat or its protective metal covering

a : the nose as a symbol of prying or meddling curiosity or interference

b : a knack for discovery or understanding <a keen nose for absurdity>

— on the nose

a : at or to a target point <the bombs landed right on the nose>

b (1) : on target : accurate (2) : accurately

: to win —used of horse or dog racing bets

— under one's nose

: extremely near to one <the answer was right under our noses>; also : brazenly in or as if in one's presence <embezzling funds right under his nose>

See nose defined for English-language learners

See nose defined for kids

Origin of NOSE

Middle English, from Old English nosu; akin to Old High German nasa nose, Latin nasus

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to NOSE

Synonyms: beak, conk [chiefly British slang], honker [slang], neb, nozzle [slang], proboscis, schnoz (or schnozz) [slang], schnozzle [slang], smeller, snoot, snout

Rhymes with NOSE

brose, chose, close, cloze, doze, gloze, hose, pose, prose, rose, Rose

²nose

verb

: to push or move (something) with the nose

of an animal : to search for or find something by smelling

: to move forward slowly or carefully

nosednos·ing

Full Definition of NOSE

transitive verb

: to detect by or as if by smell : scent

a : to push or move with the nose

b : to move (as a vehicle) ahead slowly or cautiously <nosed my car into the parking space>

: to touch or rub with the nose : nuzzle

intransitive verb

: to use the nose in examining, smelling, or showing affection

a : to search impertinently : pry

b : poke 2a

: to move ahead slowly or cautiously <the boat nosed around the bend>

: to move the forward end in a specified direction <the plane nosed up>

: to advance into a slight lead

See nose defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of NOSE

circa 1587

Related to NOSE

Synonyms: smell, scent, sniff, snuff, whiff

Antonyms: fly, race, speed, whiz (or whizz), zip

NOSE Defined for Kids

¹nose

noun \ˈnōz\

Definition of NOSE for Kids

: the part of the face or head that contains the nostrils

: the sense or organ of smell <Most dogs have a good nose.>

: the front end or part of something <the nose of an airplane>

: an ability to discover <She's got a nose for news.>

— nosed \ˈnōzd\ adjective <long-nosed>

²nose

verb

nosednos·ing

Definition of NOSE for Kids

: to search for or find by smelling <The dog nosed around in the garbage.>

: to touch or rub with the nose : nuzzle <The horse nosed my hand.>

: to search for especially in an unwelcome way : pry <Stop nosing around in my business.>

: to move ahead slowly or carefully <… the boat was nosing its way between the rocks out to the open sea. — Pearl S. Buck, The Big Wave>

Medical Dictionary

nose

noun \ˈnōz\

Medical Definition of NOSE

a : the part of the face that bears the nostrils and covers the anterior part of the nasal cavity; broadly : this part together with the nasal cavity b : the anterior part of the head above or projecting beyond the muzzle

: the sense of smell : olfaction

: olfactory organ