air
air [air airs aired airing] noun, verb [eə(r)] [er]
noun
GAS
1. uncountable the mixture of gases that surrounds the earth and that we breathe
• air pollution
• Let's go out for some fresh air.
• I need to put some air in my tyres.
• currents of warm air
• whales coming up for air (= in order to breathe)
• The act lays down a minimum standard for air quality.
SPACE
2. uncountable (usually the air) the space above the ground or that is around things
• I kicked the ball high in/into the air.
• Spicy smells wafted through the air.
• Music filled the night air.
see also open air
FOR PLANES
3. uncountable the space above the earth where planes fly
• It only takes three hours by air (= in a plane).
• air travel/traffic
• The temple was clearly visible from the air.
• A surprise air attack (= from aircraft) was launched at night.
IMPRESSION
4. singular the particular feeling or impression that is given by sb/sth; the way sb does sth
• The room had an air of luxury.
• She looked at him with a defiant air.
• There was an air of complete confidence about her.
TUNE
5. countable (old-fashioned) (often used in the title of a piece of music) a tune
• Bach's Air on a G string
BEHAVIOUR
6. airs plural (disapproving) a way of behaving that shows that sb thinks that they are more important, etc. than they really are
• I hate the way she puts on airs.
more at a breath of (fresh) air at breath, (build) castles in the air at castle, clear the air at clear v., with your nose in the air at nose n., pluck sth out of the air at pluck v., disappear, vanish, etc. into thin airout of thin air at thin adj.
Word Origin:
Middle English (in senses 1-3 of noun): from Old French air, from Latin aer, from Greek aēr, denoting the gas. Senses 4 and 6 of the noun are from French air, probably from Old French aire ‘site, disposition’, from Latin ager, agr- ‘field’ (influenced by senses 1-3). Sense 5 of the noun comes from Italian aria, from Latin aer ‘air’.
Example Bank:
• He drew in another breath of air.
• He had an air of mystery about him.
• He leaned over to Melissa with an air of confidentiality.
• He punched the air in triumph.
• I hate the way she puts on airs.
• I kicked the ball high into the air.
• I sat for a moment, inhaling the fresh forest air.
• It only takes three hours by air.
• It's difficult carrying such heavy loads in the thin air of the mountains.
• Land crabs breathe air and cannot swim.
• Nothing moved in the still air.
• She gulped in the fresh mountain air.
• She was gasping for air as she ran out of the burning house.
• Spicy smells wafted through the air.
• Suddenly a scream pierced the air.
• The air was sweet with incense.
• The air was thick with cigarette smoke.
• The argument helped to clear the air between them.
• The cool night air wafted in the open windows.
• The dog stretched and sniffed the air.
• The hideout is clearly visible from the air.
• The market is held in the open air.
• The tang of some wild herb hung in the air.
• The two planes collided in mid-air.
• There are regulatory requirements for clean air and water.
• They have developed an engine powered by compressed air.
• Three buildings were bombed last night in an air strike on the city.
• We are cleared by Air Traffic Control to taxi and take off.
• We felt a blast of cold air as she opened the door.
• We need some fresh air in this stuffy room!
• You have an air of authority.
• equipment to monitor air quality
• the musty smell of stale air
• the polluted air of our cities
• warm currents of air
• A surprise air attack was launched at night.
• air travel/traffic/fares
Idioms: airs and graces ▪ in the air ▪ on air ▪ up in the air ▪ walk on air
Derived: air out ▪ air something out