nous

Everyday

1. (UK, Ireland, Australia, informal) Nous means common sense and practical cleverness: knowing what to do in real life. tree →
2. (philosophy) In old Greek thinking, nous meant the mind or reason. tree →
3. (French) «Nous» is the French word for «we» or «us»; it sounds like «noo» and is not an English word. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday British and Australian talk, someone with nous is sensible and quick to work things out: «He had the nous to call for help». It rhymes with «house» in English (NOWSS). In French lessons «nous» is the «we» form: «nous sommes» = we are, «nous avons» = we have. Phrases: «a bit of nous», «business nous», «the nous to…».

Examples

• Use a bit of nous and take a coat — it's freezing! tree →
• She had the nous to write the number plate down. tree →
• That footballer has real football nous. tree →
• The little lad showed great nous by finding his way home. tree →
• In French, «nous sommes amis» means «we are friends». tree →
• «Nous» in French sounds like «noo», with a silent s. tree →
• Ancient Greek thinkers said nous was the part of us that understands. tree →
• Nous n’irons plus au bois, Les lauriers sont coupés, tree →

Note

English «nous» is uncountable: «a bit of nous», never «nouses». It is informal and not used much in the USA. Trap: the English word rhymes with «house», but the French «nous» sounds like «noo»; they mean different things (common sense vs we).