schnoz
Americannoun
Usage
What does schnoz mean? Schnoz is a slang term for a nose, especially a big one. Schnoz is very informal and is usually used to be funny. Sometimes, it’s used to make fun of someone who has a big nose, which can be very rude and offensive, but some people also apply the term to their own nose. It can also be used neutrally, simply as a silly way to refer to any nose, as in You’ve got a little something on your schnoz. This use of the word doesn’t necessarily imply that the nose is big. Variants of the term include schnozz, schnozzle, and schnozzola. Example: If my schnoz were any bigger, it would have its own area code!
Etymology
Origin of schnoz
1935–40, probably expressive alteration of nose, nozzle; schn- by association with any of several semantically related Yiddish words, e.g. shnabl beak, shnoyts snout, shnuk beak, trunk; for suffix of schnozzola -ola
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Resembling a pug-size hedgehog with the schnoz of an anteater, they are one of only five living species of monotreme, that rare mammal that lays eggs.
From Science Magazine • Jan. 17, 2023
It resembles the psychedelic fly agaric mushroom, a fungus as bright red as Rudolph's schnoz sprinkled with white flecks like snow.
From Salon • Dec. 15, 2022
Most importantly, I can work out without worrying a plate will whack me in the schnoz.
From The Verge • Apr. 13, 2022
An extra-long nasal swab is made for a stupendous schnoz, but 2,300 Style Invitational entries make for a stupendous snooze.
From Washington Post • Jul. 23, 2020
The last time Kidman went through such a severe make-under was in 2002, when she played Virginia Woolf, complete with oversize schnoz, winning a lead actress Oscar for her efforts.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2018
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
