snot

Everyday

1. (informal) Snot is the slimy stuff (mucus) that comes out of your nose, especially when you have a cold. tree →
2. (informal, rude) A snot is a rude, proud, cheeky person who thinks they are better than others; the adjective is «snotty». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life «snot» is a common but slightly rude word; in science and health lessons the polite word is «mucus», which traps dust and germs and helps protect your body. Hygiene lessons say «Catch it, bin it, kill it»: sneeze into a tissue, throw it away and wash your hands. In funny stories for children, snot is used for gross-out jokes. Phrases: snotty nose, wipe your snot, snot-nosed, snotty (posh and rude).

Examples

• Use a tissue, not your sleeve, to wipe your snot! tree →
• When I have a cold, my nose is full of snot. tree →
• The baby had snot running down her face. tree →
• Snot traps dust and germs before they get into your lungs. tree →
• «Ew, there's snot on the door handle!» tree →
• (informal) The doctor calls it mucus, but we call it snot. tree →
• (rude) Don't be such a snot to your little brother. tree →
• The story had a slimy monster made of snot. tree →

Note

Uncountable for the nose stuff: «some snot», not «a snot». Register: informal and a bit rude; in school science writing use «mucus». «Snotty» can mean full of snot or (informal) rude and stuck-up. «Snot-nosed» means young and cheeky (rude).