Nasal is used to describe things relating to the nose and the functions it performs.
...inflamed nasal passages.
...nasal decongestant sprays.
2. adjective
If someone's voice is nasal, it sounds as if air is passing through their nose as well as their mouth while they are speaking.
Her voice was nasal and penetrating.
She talked in a deep nasal monotone.
nasal in British English
(ˈneɪzəl)
adjective
1.
of or relating to the nose
2. phonetics
pronounced with the soft palate lowered allowing air to escape via the nasal cavity instead of or as well as through the mouth
noun
3.
a nasal speech sound, such as English m, n, or ng
4. another word for nosepiece (sense 1)
Derived forms
nasality (neɪˈzælɪtɪ)
noun
nasally (ˈnasally)
adverb
Word origin
C17: from French from Late Latin nāsālis, from Latin nāsus nose
nasal in American English
(ˈneɪzəl)
adjective
1.
of the nose
2.
articulated by means of partial or complete closing of the mouth, as at the velum, alveolar ridge, or lips, so that all or part of the breath passes through the nose, as in the consonants (m), (n), and (ŋ) and certain French vowels
3.
characterized by such production of sounds
a nasal voice
noun
4.
a nasal sound or a letter or symbol representing such a sound
5. Anatomy
a bone or plate of the nose
6.
the protective nosepiece of a helmet
Derived forms
nasality (naˈsality) (neɪˈzæləti)
noun
nasally (ˈnasally)
adverb
Word origin
ModL nasalis < L nasus, nose; (sense 6) ME < OFr nasal, nasel < L nasus, nose
Examples of 'nasal' in a sentence
nasal
Everyone is smiling and joking and speaking in nasal sounds.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He has been criticised for his nasal tone and was long rumoured to be considering surgery.
The Sun (2011)
The procedure is to supply oxygen via a small nasal tube during sleep.
MacIntyre, Anne M. E. Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome - How To Live With It (1989)
It can also cause your nasal passage to swell.
The Sun (2012)
Both can be delivered by nasal spray.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But his camp nasal voice led him to consider comedy while working in a call centre.
The Sun (2008)
She was given a nasal feeding tube.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But he has long been criticised for his nasal tone and was rumoured to be consideringsurgery to fix it.
The Sun (2011)
It emits red light via two nasal tubes which you hold in place for three minutes up to four times a day.
The Sun (2011)
His style has a certain bel canto elegance, but the sound is nasal and pinched.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This simple procedure can give some relief to the prickly, inflamed nasal passages.
Turner, Roger Newman The Hayfever Handbook - a summer survival guide (1988)
It had been there in my nasal cavity for 44 years.
Christianity Today (2000)
The inside of the nasal passage swells up, causing a blockage.
The Sun (2008)
It's not the time to be exploring your nasal cavity.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
After 60 nights of monitoring his troubled sleep he has identified a nasal spray that significantly reduces his symptoms and has restored marital harmony.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But I also heard the unmistakable nasal whine of cultural manipulation for our own good.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But at least she's kept her nasal twang, eh?
The Sun (2006)
With acoustic guitar, harmonica and that distinct nasal whine, he became the mouthpiece for a generation.
The Sun (2014)
In other languages
nasal
British English: nasal ADJECTIVE
Nasal is used to describe things relating to the nose and the functions it performs.