il naso

Definition & meaning

Naso means nose: the part of the face used for breathing and smelling.

It can also refer figuratively to a sense of smell or an instinct for recognizing something, especially an opportunity.

Grammar & Word origin

• Noun, masculine: il naso; plural: i nasi.
• From Latin nasus, meaning “nose.”

Synonyms & antonyms

• Synonyms: olfatto ↗ means “sense of smell,” not the physical nose. Fiuto ↗ refers to a keen sense of smell or, figuratively, a sharp instinct.
• There is no common direct antonym.

Common phrases & collocations

• avere naso — to have a good instinct or intuition.
• mettere il naso ↗ — to poke one’s nose into something.
• storcere il naso ↗ — to show disapproval or dislike.
• a naso ↗ — by intuition or rough estimate.