air

Air is the invisible mixture of gases that makes up the Earth’s atmosphere. This is what we mean when we talk about the air that we breathe. The word air is also used to refer to the appearance of something, as in an air of mystery. Air is used as a verb meaning to expose something to air, the public, or on a broadcast. The word air has many other senses, both as a noun and a verb.

Speaking scientifically, the word air refers to an invisible mixture of gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, and small amounts of many other gases. You are breathing air into your lungs right now as you read these words.

• Real-life example: We are all surrounded by air. It is what makes up Earth’s atmosphere. The word air is also used generally to refer to any of the gases that can be found floating around us. For example, a balloon filled with air is most likely full of the carbon dioxide gas released from a person’s lungs.
• Used in a sentence: Swimmers returned to the surface so she could get a breath of air. 

The terms air or the air is used generally to refer to the sky or open space outside.

• Real-life example: Airplanes and helicopters are designed to fly in the air, meaning the empty space over the ground. Birds, bats, and insects also travel through this empty space.
• Used in a sentence: The boy threw the ball into the air. 

Air is also used to describe a style or appearance that something or someone has. The plural airs is used when someone acts as though they are better than other people, often in the phrase put on airs.

• Used in a sentence: The quiet man had an air of mystery about him. 

As a verb, air is used to variously mean exposing something to air, exposing something to the public as a whole, or to broadcast something, such as on TV, radio, or a webcast.

• Real-life example: People will sometimes air a room by opening windows or air out laundry so the wind will blow smells off it. Gossip magazines and websites often air celebrity secrets or rumors. Television and radio stations air (broadcast) programs every day.
• Used in a sentence: The angry citizens aired their complaints to the nervous mayor.

The first records of the word air come from the later 1100s. It ultimately comes from the Greek word aēr, meaning “the lower atmosphere.” Generally speaking, the lower part of the atmosphere is the part that we live in and contains the gaseous mixture of air that we breathe and feel as wind.

Based on its pronunciation, it’s possible for the word air to be confused with several similarly sounding words. The word heir refers to a person who will inherit property from someone else. The word err means to make a mistake or to be wrong. The word e’er is a contraction of ever. The word ere means before.

What are some other forms related to air?

• airlike (adjective)
• unaired (adjective)
• well-aired (adjective)

What are some synonyms for air?

• breath
• wind
• sky
• aura
• circulate
• broadcast
• reveal

What are some words that share a root or word element with air? 

• aria
• airs

What are some words that often get used in discussing air?

• breathe
• fresh
• oxygen
• atmosphere
• airplane
• put
• up
• live
• television

What are some words air may be commonly confused with in speech?

• heir
• err
• ere

Air is a common word with many different meanings. It’s most commonly used as a general way to refer to the mixture of oxygen and other gases that we breathe.

Drink water. Breathe in fresh air. Take in the sunlight. Be like a plant. 🌱 pic.twitter.com/jE7MKQAgqv

— Kritika (@kritipraksart) December 13, 2020

⚠️ Schedule Update ⚠️

Wednesday’s game at @SportingKC has been moved to Thursday at 7:30 p.m. CT.

Also, it will air on FOX. pic.twitter.com/xLNBInpv8F

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) November 30, 2020

The cats have an almost palpable air of relief when I go to my room at night. "Oh good the human will sleep," they seem to say.

— Seanan McGuire (@seananmcguire) November 8, 2020

True or False?

Air consists of an invisible mixture of liquids that mostly contains nitrogen and oxygen.