# nasal

/ˈneɪzəɫ/ (US) · /nˈeɪzəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nasal
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. related to the nose

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

related to the nose or the area inside it.

For teachers: pertaining to the nose or the nasal cavity. A relational adjective often used in medical or anatomical contexts.

- The doctor checked his nasal passages to see why he couldn't breathe well.
- The patient complained of chronic nasal congestion, which the specialist attributed to a deviated septum and seasonal allergies.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun.

### 2. voice or sound quality

adjective · CEFR B2

a sound that seems to come through the nose, often sounding sharp or blocked.

For teachers: characterised by a quality of voice produced by air escaping through the nose, or by a blockage that prevents it.

- He spoke with a high, nasal voice that was hard to listen to for long.
- The singer's distinct nasal tone became her trademark, though some critics found the quality grating over the course of a full album.

### 3. a speech sound

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a sound in speech, like 'm' or 'n', where air comes out through your nose.

For teachers: a consonant or vowel produced by lowering the soft palate so that air escapes through the nasal cavity.

- In the word 'mom', the 'm' is a nasal.
- The linguist explained that the language is known for its complex system of phonemic nasals, which are difficult for non-native speakers to master.

### 4. part of a helmet

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

the metal piece on an old helmet that protects the nose.

For teachers: a vertical metal plate extending down from a helmet to protect the wearer's nose.

- The knight's helmet had a long nasal that covered the middle of his face.
- The eleventh-century conical helmet featured a sturdy nasal, providing essential facial protection while maintaining the soldier's peripheral vision.

## Examples

- He has a very nasal voice because of his cold.
- The doctor examined her nasal passages to see if allergies were causing the blockage.
- Linguists distinguish between oral and nasal vowels, noting that the latter are produced by lowering the soft palate to allow airflow through the nose.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.