: the prominence in front of the external opening of the outer ear
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Lend Us Your Ear for the History of Tragus
The tragus is the tongue-like projection of the outer ear. Its name comes from the Greek word tragos, meaning "he-goat." According to hearsay, the Greek word was influenced by Peloponnesian tragedy. In this style of drama, satyrs were represented as goatlike creatures, and their prominent ears became associated with a feature of our own human ears. Tragos contributed to the English language in another way as well; it is also the word from which tragedy is derived.
Examples of tragus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Plus: Rowan offers ear piercings beyond just the lobe, including the helix and tragus — a trend that's popular not only with teens, but increasingly their moms as well.
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Linh Ta, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
Most sutures are beneath the surface of the skin, and minor incisions occur behind the ear (and the tragus cartilage in the ear), as well as below the neck.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024
Still unsure of what a tragus is?
—Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 12 July 2022
Typically, Carillo buffs the Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream upwards from the cheekbones to the tragus.
—Devon Abelman, Allure, 8 Jan. 2020
The tragus is one of those piercings that has never really died down.
—Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, 15 Dec. 2017
Grab a fan brush and using its flat side, apply color from your tragus (the little nub at the center of your ear) to the corner of your mouth, and blend very well.
—Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, 18 Mar. 2016
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Linh Ta, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
Most sutures are beneath the surface of the skin, and minor incisions occur behind the ear (and the tragus cartilage in the ear), as well as below the neck.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024
Still unsure of what a tragus is?
—Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, 12 July 2022
Typically, Carillo buffs the Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream upwards from the cheekbones to the tragus.
—Devon Abelman, Allure, 8 Jan. 2020
The tragus is one of those piercings that has never really died down.
—Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, 15 Dec. 2017
Grab a fan brush and using its flat side, apply color from your tragus (the little nub at the center of your ear) to the corner of your mouth, and blend very well.
—Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, 18 Mar. 2016
Cite this Entry
“Tragus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tragus. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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