nose hair

plural nose hairs · alternative nosehair

1. uncountableHair follicles inside the nostrils.

   A medical “truism” holds that nose hair filters the air we breathe and therefore protects us from infection by airborne viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. But, as is often the case with truisms, its history may be more venerable than verified.

   2021 July 30, Richard Klasco, “Is Nose Hair Essential to Fighting Off Colds and Other Viral Illnesses?”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 30 Jul 2021

2. countableOne such follicle.

   What were you hoping for? / [Zahra:] That it would be worth the effort of getting ready, which included plucking out a nose hair.

   2022 July 30, “Blind date: ‘Any awkward moments? When I asked if I could taste his honey’”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 30 Jul 2022

   2 more examples

   In “Sunset Boulevard” (1950), Mir pointed out, an actress played by Nancy Olson confides to a writer (William Holden) that she got a nose job to enhance her career prospects. Writer: “It’s a pretty nose.” Actress: “It should be. It cost $300.” I’m not even sure you could have a nose hair removed for $300 today.

   2001 August 3, Steve Harvey, “Simple ‘Star Trek’ Suggestion Could Have Saved NASA Lots of Trouble”, in Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, Calif.: Los Angeles Times Communications, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 24 Nov 2025

   The idea that our nose hairs, known medically as vibrissae, might offer protection against infectious germs goes back more than a century.

   2021 July 30, Richard Klasco, “Is Nose Hair Essential to Fighting Off Colds and Other Viral Illnesses?”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 30 Jul 2021

   Synonyms: vibrissa