air quotes

American

plural noun

a gesture in which two fingers of each hand draw quotation marks in the air, used when uttering a word or phrase one does not think is appropriate or accurate.

Etymology

Origin of air quotes

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Gaffigan is serious enough about his pursuit to say “my whiskey journey” several times in conversation with a straight face and no air quotes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 1, 2025

Dahlia and I always put this “doctrine” in air quotes.

From Slate • Jul. 8, 2025

Then we’ll go to the Juice across the street and get their cashew date “ice cream” with air quotes around it.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2023

“It just feels like you’re going to go on court and not play the way you ‘should,‘” she said, making air quotes with her fingers, “or the way you ‘could,’ you know?

From Washington Times • Jun. 28, 2023

She made mocking air quotes with her fingers as she spoke the last word.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023