What does nasal mean?
“Nasal” is an adjective meaning connected with the nose, especially when describing the nasal cavity, passages, congestion, or sounds. It can also describe a voice or articulation in which air flows through the nose. In phonetics, the related noun “nasal” means a consonant produced by allowing air to pass through the nose, including sounds such as /m/, /n/, and /ŋ/. The word is common in medical, educational, and linguistic contexts. “Nasal congestion,” “nasal passage,” and “nasal sound” are established expressions. Its Latin origin, from nasus, meaning “nose,” makes it a useful example of how vocabulary often preserves the literal history of an earlier language.
Relating to the nose or nasal cavity; produced with airflow through the nose.
"She had a stuffy nose and a nasal voice."
Common in medical and anatomical contexts, as well as in descriptions of speech and pronunciation.
A consonant sound produced with airflow through the nose, such as /m/, /n/, or /ŋ/.
"The final consonant in “sing” is a nasal."
Chiefly used in phonetics, linguistics, and language teaching.
The word “nasal” comes from the Latin word for “nose,” a fitting origin for sounds that travel through the nose.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nasal come from?
“Nasal” comes from Latin nasalis, meaning “of or relating to the nose,” formed from nasus, meaning “nose.” English borrowed the word through Old French and Latin usage. The same Latin root is reflected in words such as “nose” and in the historical development of “nausea,” originally associated with the sensation of feeling sick.
Related word forms
How nasal is actually used
In general use, “nasal” is an adjective relating to the nose; as a noun, it is chiefly a technical term in phonetics. It is standard in both British and American English.