WordGarden.ionasal
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /nˈeɪzəl/
US
- /ˈneɪzəl/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to the nose
having a speech or singing quality that sounds as if it comes through the nose
pronounced with airflow through the nose in phonetics
Noun
a nasal speech sound or consonant
Beyond the definition
Have you ever noticed how a person's voice can seem to come through their nose? That kind of sound is often called nasal. People sometimes use the word when someone has a cold and sounds stuffy, but it is also used for a natural voice quality. Some people naturally speak with a slightly nasal sound, and certain languages, like French or Portuguese, include nasal sounds as a normal part of speech. The word can also describe anything related to the nose itself; for example, a nasal spray is medicine used in the nose. Think of it as a word for things connected to the nose or for sounds that seem to pass through it.
The word "nasal" describes something relating to the nose or produced with the help of the nasal passages. It is most commonly used to describe a quality of sound, especially when a voice seems to resonate in the nose or come through the nose more than usual. People often use the word for a voice affected by a cold, allergies, or natural speech habits, although a "stuffy" sound and a truly nasal sound are not always exactly the same thing.
However, "nasal" is not limited to voices. It can refer to anything connected to the nose itself. A nasal spray delivers medicine directly into the nostrils to relieve allergies or congestion, while doctors use a nasal swab to collect samples for medical testing. In linguistics, nasal vowels and consonants like "m," "n," and "ng" are sounds made when air flows through the nose. This is an important feature in languages such as French, Portuguese, and Vietnamese.
The word "nasal" comes from the Latin word nasus, which simply means "nose." So, if you encounter something described as nasal, whether it is a singing voice, a medical treatment, or a language sound, the idea is the same: it has a clear connection to the nose or to sound shaped by it.
Examples
- 1
Medical exam
The doctor checked her nasal passages for swelling.
- 2
Allergy relief
I use a nasal spray when my allergies make it hard to breathe.
- 3
Cold symptom
He sounded nasal all week because he had a bad cold.
- 4
Singing voice
The singer has a slightly nasal voice, but it suits the song.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Language sounds
French has several nasal vowels that are difficult for English speakers at first.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- nasalnounadjective
Forms
- nasalspluralnounadjective