nose
gb/nˈoʊz/ us/nˈoʊz/
A1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
Front facial organ for smell
The part of your face above your mouth that you use to smell and breathe.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s nose
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'nose' with 'nostril', but 'nostril' refers only to one of the openings in the nose.
Synonyms
snout (Used for animals; informal or humorous for people)
Collocations
blow your nose
|runny nose
|broken nose
|pointed nose
|big nose
Themes
body
|health
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her nose was red from the cold.
- He broke his nose in the accident.
- I have a runny nose because of my allergies.
- The baby has his father's nose.
- She wrinkled her nose at the bad smell.
Learner examples
- My nose is small.
- He has a big nose.
- I hurt my nose.
- Her nose is red.
- This is my nose.
Noun
B1
property
2
Ability to detect smells
The ability to smell or find something, especially by noticing small signs.
Usage pattern:
have a (good/bad) nose for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may take 'nose for' literally when it often means an ability to find or notice something, not just smelling.
Synonyms
instinct (Refers more broadly to natural ability, not just smell)
Collocations
have a good nose for
|keen nose
|sharp nose for detail
Themes
senses
|skills
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Dogs have an excellent nose for finding missing people.
- She has a good nose for news stories.
- His nose for trouble saved us from danger.
Learner examples
- A dog has a good nose.
- She has a nose for news.
- He has a nose for money.
Verb
B2
action
3
Move forward slowly with front first
To move slowly forward with the front part first.
Usage pattern:
nose [something] forward/into [place]
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse this with 'sniff' when referring to smell, but here it means slow forward movement.
Synonyms
edge (Similar slow movement but without emphasis on the front leading)
Collocations
nose the car into place
|nosed into the room
Themes
movement
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The boat nosed into the harbor.
- He nosed the car into a parking space.
- The submarine nosed up to the surface.
Learner examples
- The car nosed into the street.
- He nosed the boat into the dock.
- The bus nosed into the station.
Noun
B1
entity
4
Front end of object or vehicle
The front part of something, like a plane or car.
Synonyms
front (General term; not specific to shape)
Collocations
plane's nose
|nose cone
Themes
transportation
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The pilot lowered the plane's nose for landing.
- The race car's nose crossed the finish line first.
- The missile's nose cone is designed to withstand heat.
Learner examples
- The plane's nose is pointed.
- The car's nose hit the wall.
- The rocket's nose is strong.
Grammar
Dictionary form
nose
IPA
GB/nˈoʊz/
US/nˈoʊz/
Syllables & stress
nose (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (nose)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: nose
- Plural: nose, noses
Verb
- Base: nose
- 3rd Person Singular: noses
- Present Participle: nosing
- Past: nosed
Word family
Forms
noses
noun
nosing
verb
nosed
verb
Core family
nasal
adjective
nostril
noun B2
Related words
nosebleed
noun
nosy
adjective
Advanced or less common
nosiness
noun
Expressions
follow your nose
1/fˈɑloʊ jˈʊɹ nˈoʊz/
idiom
Go straight ahead or trust instincts
To go in a straight line or make decisions based on what feels right without directions.
Examples
- Just follow your nose until you reach the park.
- I followed my nose and found a great café.
keep your nose clean
1/kˈip jˈʊɹ nˈoʊz klˈin/
idiom
informal
Stay out of trouble
To behave well and not get into trouble.
Examples
- He kept his nose clean after leaving prison.
- You should keep your nose clean while on probation.
right under your nose
1/ɹˈaɪt ˈʌndɚ jˈʊɹ nˈoʊz/
idiom
Close but unnoticed
Very close to you but you don't see it.
Examples
- The keys were right under your nose the whole time.
- The answer was right under my nose.
stick your nose into something
1/stˈɪk jˈʊɹ nˈoʊz ˈɪntu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
idiom
informal
Interfere in others' business
To get involved in things that are not your business.
Examples
- Stop sticking your nose into my personal life.
- She loves to stick her nose into office gossip.
turn up your nose at something
1/tˈɚn ˈʌp jˈʊɹ nˈoʊz ˈæt sˈʌmθɪŋ/
idiom
Reject as not good enough
To refuse something because you think it's not good enough for you.
Examples
- He turned up his nose at instant coffee.
- They turned up their noses at our offer.