English Reference
noun

snout

n.
US /ˈsnaʊt/ UK /snˈaʊt/ snout UK spelling snout's, snout's, snouting

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the long, projecting nose and mouth of an animal, such as a pig or a dog.

    the elongated projecting nose, mouth, and jaw of a mammal, particularly characteristic of suids and certain canines.

    Simple

    The pig pushed its snout through the dirt looking for something to eat.

    In context

    The hound kept its snout close to the damp earth, tracking the scent of the fox through the dense undergrowth.

    muzzlenoseproboscis
  2. 02 C1 Advanced British EnglishSlangInformal

    a slang word for tobacco or cigarettes.

    a slang term for tobacco or cigarettes, frequently used in prison contexts or working-class dialects.

    Simple

    He asked his friend if he had any snout left before the break ended.

    In context

    In the exercise yard, the inmates often traded their meager rations for a bit of snout.

  3. 03 C2 Proficiency British EnglishSlang

    a person who gives secret information to the police.

    a police informant who provides intelligence on criminal activity.

    Simple

    The gang suspected there was a snout in their group talking to the detectives.

    In context

    The detective met his snout in a quiet pub to receive a tip-off about the planned robbery.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate InformalHumorous

    a rude or funny way to talk about a person's nose.

    a derogatory or humorous reference to a human nose, especially one that is large or prominent.

    Simple

    Keep your snout out of my private business.

    In context

    He wiped his snout with a dirty handkerchief and continued grumbling to himself.

    beakschnoz
  5. 05 C1 Advanced Technical

    the end of a pipe or hose where water or air comes out.

    the projecting nozzle or terminal end of a pipe, hose, or similar mechanical apparatus.

    Simple

    Attach the snout of the hose to the tap before turning the water on.

    In context

    The technician adjusted the snout of the industrial vacuum to ensure it captured all the fine dust particles.

The bulbous outgrowth at the tip of their snout called the “ghara” (“mud pot” in Hindi) seems essential; males that lose the ghara in fights cannot pop like their peers.

Smithsonian Magazine· 2 Sept 2026

They have thick gray bodies, small heads and short, rounded snouts.

ScienceDaily· 23 Aug 2026

From Middle English snowte, snout, snute, from Old English snūt, from Proto-West Germanic snūt, from Proto-Germanic *snūtaz. Compare Saterland Frisian Snuute (“snout”), West Frisian snút (“snout”), Dutch snuit or snoet (“snout; cute face”), German Low German Snuut (“snout”), German Schnauze, Schnute (“snout”). Doublet of snoot.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin gem-pro *snūtaz
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated