Retroussé

Retroussé

ˌretro͝oˈsā

Adjective

  • (Of a person’s nose) Turned up at the tip in an attractive way.

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Example Sentences

“I was often teased for my retroussé nose as a child, but now I love the upturned shape.”

“I love seeing the shape of my husband’s retroussé nose passed on to my children.”

“She consulted a doctor about surgery to change the retroussé shape of her nose, but she decided against it.”

Word Origin

French, early 19th century

Why this word?

“Retroussé” is a French loanword, coming directly from the French verb “retrousser.” The loanword is in the past participle form, so it means “tucked up.” This adjective describes a very specific shape of a nose; it’s slightly turned up at the end, in a charming fashion. A less whimsical descriptor for this shape would be “snub-nosed.” If you’re a writer in need of an adjective for a nose, try one of these: “aquiline”/”Roman” (like a beak of an eagle), “button” (small, round, slightly upturned), “hooked” (with a prominent curve), “flat” (with a broad ridge and nostrils), “Grecian” (straight with no curves or bumps), “Nubian” (with a broad ridge and wide nostrils).     

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