naris

Meanings

1. 1nouncountabletechnical

   One of the two openings at the front of the nose through which air passes.

   Grammar: Countable; the usual plural is 'nares', and it is often used in the plural when talking about both openings.

   Patterns

   • the anterior nares
   • the posterior nares
   • a blocked naris

   The doctor examined each naris for signs of swelling.

   Air enters through the nares and passes into the nasal cavity.

   A small polyp was found in the left naris.

2. 2nouncountabletechnicalbiology

   In zoology, one of the paired external openings of the nasal cavity in many animals, including fish and birds.

   Grammar: Countable; used mainly in scientific descriptions of animal anatomy.

   Patterns

   • the nares of a fish
   • paired nares
   • water enters the nares

   In most fish, water flows in through the nares and out through the gills.

   The bird's nares are located at the base of the upper beak.

   Scientists studied how the nares detect chemical signals in the water.

Word forms

Common combinations

anterior nares

The anterior nares are the openings you can see at the front of the nose.

posterior nares

The posterior nares connect the nasal cavity to the upper throat.

blocked naris

A blocked naris can make it hard to breathe through one side of the nose.

external naris

The external naris is visible on the outside of the snout.

nasal naris

Each nasal naris is lined with tiny hairs that filter dust.

Synonyms and how they differ

nostril

This is the everyday word for the same opening; 'naris' is the technical term used in anatomy and biology.

nare

A less common singular form of 'naris', used mainly in British technical writing.

Word family

nares noun

The plural form, meaning both nostrils together.

narial adjective

Relating to the nostrils, as in 'narial openings'.

Commonly confused: naris or naris vs. nares?

Practice

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