Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

powder one's nose

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.89 in modern English

Syllables: pow-der one's nose
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

14

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To visit a lavatory to use a toilet, reapply makeup, (when used of a group of women) engage in private conversation, etc.

verb

To snort cocaine or other types of drugs through one's nose.

Slang

Example Sentences

"I'll be right back. I just have to powder my nose."
"C'mon girls; let's go powder our noses."
""...Where's the ladies' in this joint? I've to powder me nose.""
"The cokehead couldn't go more than a couple hours without powdering his nose."
"Well I'll tell you what, I'll go to the bathroom and powder my nose, while you sit here and think of something to say."

Etymology

From the use of a lavatory as a place to apply makeup.

Usage

Slang

Inflected Forms

powders one's nose (present, singular) powdering one's nose (participle, present) powdered one's nose (participle, past) powdered one's nose (past)

Phrases

powder room take a powder

Frequently Paired Words

powder room take a powder

Questions

What does powder one's nose mean?: To visit a lavatory to use a toilet, reapply makeup, (when used of a group of women) engage in private conversation, etc.
Where does powder one's nose come from?: From the use of a lavatory as a place to apply makeup.

How to pronounce powder one's nose

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “powder one's nose”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “powder one's nose”.
Repeat and practice — Say “powder one's nose” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.