nasal

¹ American  

[ney-zuhl] / ˈneɪ zəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the nose.

   the nasal cavity.

2. Phonetics. pronounced with the voice issuing through the nose, either partly, as in French nasal vowels, or entirely (as in m, n, or the ng ofsong ).

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noun

1. Phonetics. a nasal speech sound.

nasal ² American  

[ney-zuhl] / ˈneɪ zəl /

noun

Armor.

1. a bar or narrow plate used with an open helmet as a defense for the nose.

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nasal British  

/ ˈneɪzəl, neɪˈzælɪtɪ /

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

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noun

1. a nasal speech sound, such as English m, n, or ng

2. another word for nosepiece

nasal Scientific  

/ nā′zəl /

1. Relating to or involving the nose.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nasalism
  noun
• seminasality
  noun
• nasally
  adverb
• nasality
  noun

Etymology

Origin of nasal¹

1375–1425; late Middle English (adj.) < Medieval Latin *nāsālis, equivalent to Latin nās ( us ) nose + -ālis -al ¹

Origin of nasal²

First recorded in 1470–80; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin nāsāle, noun use of neuter of nāsālis (unattested) nasal ¹ ( def. ); replacing Middle English nasel, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin, as above

Explanation

Anything nasal relates to the nose, including a nasal voice that you can make by pinching your nose. Just as optical things relate to the eyes, nasal things relate to the nose. Your nostrils lead to your nasal passages, and if your septum (the middle part of your nose) needed to be repaired, it would require nasal surgery. Also, this word is commonly used to describe a kind of exaggerated, wheezy tone of voice that you can imitate by pinching your nose. Some people's voices are naturally nasal, like the singer Bob Dylan.

Example Sentences

"As we develop and scale this therapy, a simple, two-dose nasal spray could one day replace invasive, risky procedures or maybe even months of medication," Shetty said.

From Science Daily • May 26, 2026

Researchers at the CVR are now looking at blood and nasal samples from passengers, crew and traced contacts.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

The company’s BPL-003 nasal spray for depression is nearing Phase 3 trials.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

The mass behind his eyeball grew into his nasal cavity and the side of his neck, he told The Times.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

There’s a small amount of pus flowing down the giraffe’s long nasal passage.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen