aura

¹

[ awr-uh ]

noun

, plural au·ras au·rae [awr, -ee].

1. a distinctive and pervasive quality or character; air; atmosphere:

   an aura of respectability;

   an aura of friendliness.

2. a subtly pervasive quality or atmosphere seen as emanating from a person, place, or thing.
3. Pathology. a sensation, as of lights or a current of warm or cold air, preceding an attack of migraine or epilepsy.

Aura

²

[ awr-uh ]

noun

, Classical Mythology.

1. a companion of Artemis who bore twins to Dionysus. Zeus changed her into a spring because, in a fit of madness, she had killed one of her children.

aura

/ ˈɔːrə /

noun

1. a distinctive air or quality considered to be characteristic of a person or thing
2. any invisible emanation, such as a scent or odour
3. pathol strange sensations, such as noises in the ears or flashes of light, that immediately precede an attack, esp of epilepsy
4. (in parapsychology) an invisible emanation produced by and surrounding a person or object: alleged to be discernible by individuals of supernormal sensibility

Word History and Origins

Origin of aura¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin, from Greek: “breath (of air)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of aura¹

C18: via Latin from Greek: breeze

Example Sentences

“Magical, right,” then-pitching coach Paul Menhart said, meaning the aura over the whole camp.

From Washington Post

Keeping them in the light is supposed to deplete their aura or something.

From Washington Post

Despite efforts like relaunching Reebok Classics a few years ago, the brand never regained much of its cool aura, retro or otherwise.

From Fortune

Yet, even as the club became more accessible, it retained its aura of indulgence.

From Eater

Perhaps above all else, Kipchoge benefited from his own aura of invincibility.

From Outside Online

Most of the Atari employees I saw projected an aura of almost delirious bliss.

From The Daily Beast

The friendly aura vanished, her eyes dead, voice robotic and confident she was correct.

From The Daily Beast

They shared a birthday—July 8—and Nelson always thought that bestowed some sort of personal aura on him.

From The Daily Beast

It gives them all aura, a collective power, an almost animal force.

From The Daily Beast

He was, in fact, of average height, but he had an aura like a pope or a head of state.

From The Daily Beast

Some hidden magnetism burst from him like an aura, and his cold pasty face and light gray eyes flamed into positive beauty.

From Project Gutenberg

Celuy pourra savoir l'aise qu'en avons receu et recevons, qui aura cogneu les dangers et necessits o nous estions.

From Project Gutenberg

I suppose there was an aura, a halo, some sort of effulgency about the place; for here I find you louder than the rest.

From Project Gutenberg

Ma foi, je serais fch de le savoir, et je crois que l'auteur aura sagement fait de ne mettre personne dans son secret.

From Project Gutenberg

It might have been the aura of the two exquisite women, he thought.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ambience
• aspect
• atmosphere
• feeling
• mood
• quality
• scent
• semblance
• tone