Nose around

verb

To look around in a place, typically in an attempt to find something or to satisfy one's curiosity.

I caught him nosing around in my office.
Visual representation of "nose around" - To look around in a place, typically in an attempt to find something or to satisfy one's curiosity.

Often appears as...

  • start to nose around
  • nose around for something

Usage tips

Informal

Colloquial

verb

To sniff at, especially in order to analyze or identify a smell.

The dog was nosing around the garden, trying to pick up a scent.
Visual representation of "nose around" - To sniff at, especially in order to analyze or identify a smell.

Often appears as...

  • nose around for a scent
  • nose around in the grass
verb

To look around in a place, typically in an attempt to find something or to satisfy one's curiosity.

I caught him nosing around in my office.
Visual representation of "nose around" - To look around in a place, typically in an attempt to find something or to satisfy one's curiosity.

Often appears as...

  • start to nose around
  • nose around for something

Usage tips

Informal

Colloquial

verb

To sniff at, especially in order to analyze or identify a smell.

The dog was nosing around the garden, trying to pick up a scent.
Visual representation of "nose around" - To sniff at, especially in order to analyze or identify a smell.

Often appears as...

  • nose around for a scent
  • nose around in the grass
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "nose around"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Privacy Invasion

Using 'nose around' can imply invading someone's privacy or space without permission.

Illustration for Privacy Invasion
He got in trouble for nosing around his sister's diary.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Curiosity Driven

It often suggests looking for information driven by curiosity, not necessarily with a bad intention.

Illustration for Curiosity Driven
They nosed around the old house, fascinated by its history.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Negative Connotation

'Nose around' can carry a negative connotation, suggesting meddling in affairs not one's own.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
Don't nose around in matters that don't concern you.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Privacy Invasion

Using 'nose around' can imply invading someone's privacy or space without permission.

Illustration for Privacy Invasion
He got in trouble for nosing around his sister's diary.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Curiosity Driven

It often suggests looking for information driven by curiosity, not necessarily with a bad intention.

Illustration for Curiosity Driven
They nosed around the old house, fascinated by its history.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Negative Connotation

'Nose around' can carry a negative connotation, suggesting meddling in affairs not one's own.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
Don't nose around in matters that don't concern you.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Privacy Invasion

Using 'nose around' can imply invading someone's privacy or space without permission.

Illustration for Privacy Invasion
He got in trouble for nosing around his sister's diary.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Curiosity Driven

It often suggests looking for information driven by curiosity, not necessarily with a bad intention.

Illustration for Curiosity Driven
They nosed around the old house, fascinated by its history.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Negative Connotation

'Nose around' can carry a negative connotation, suggesting meddling in affairs not one's own.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
Don't nose around in matters that don't concern you.
Visual representation of the word "Nose around"

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