air
1a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and minute amounts of other gases that surrounds the earth and forms its atmosphere.
a stir in the atmosphere; a light breeze.
overhead space; sky: The planes filled the air.
circulation; publication; publicity: to give air to one's theories.
the general character or complexion of anything; appearance: His early work had an air of freshness and originality.
the peculiar look, appearance, and bearing of a person: There is an air of mystery about him.
airs, affected or unnatural manner; manifestation of pride or vanity; assumed haughtiness: He acquired airs that were insufferable to his friends.
Music.
aircraft as a means of transportation: to arrive by air;to ship goods by air.
Informal. air conditioning or an air-conditioning system: The price includes tires, radio, and air.
Sports.
(during an airborne stunt) the height between the ground and an athlete or an athlete with their equipment:The BMX course was designed for riders to get good air.
such a jump or other airborne stunt: The snowboarder took first place with four clean airs.
Radio. the medium through which radio waves are transmitted.
Archaic. breath.
to expose ostentatiously; bring to public notice; display: to air one's opinions;to air one's theories.
to broadcast or televise.
to be exposed to the open air (often followed by out): Open the window and let the room air out.
to be broadcast or televised.
operating by means of air pressure or by acting upon air: an air drill;an air pump.
of or relating to aircraft or to aviation: air industry.
taking place in the air; aerial: air war.
Idioms about air
clear the air, to eliminate dissension, ambiguity, or tension from a discussion, situation, etc.: The staff meeting was intended to help clear the air.
get some air,
to take a break from an unpleasant encounter or stifling environment: She walked away from the argument to get some air.
to take a short rest.
get the air, Informal.
to be rejected, as by a lover.
to be dismissed, as by an employer: He had worked only a few days when he got the air.
give (someone) the air, Informal.
to reject, as a lover: He was bitter because she gave him the air.
to dismiss, as an employee.
in the air, in circulation; current: There's a rumor in the air that we're moving to a new location.
into thin air, completely out of sight or reach: He vanished into thin air.
off the air,
not broadcasting:The station goes off the air at midnight.
not broadcast; out of operation as a broadcast: The program went off the air years ago.
on the air, in the act of broadcasting; being broadcast: The program will be going on the air in a few seconds.
put on airs, to assume an affected or haughty manner: As their fortune increased, they began to put on airs.
take the air,
to go out-of-doors; take a short walk or ride.
Slang. to leave, especially hurriedly.
to begin broadcasting.
up in the air,
Also in the air . undecided or unsettled: The contract is still up in the air.
Informal. angry; perturbed: There is no need to get up in the air over a simple mistake.
walk / tread on air, to feel very happy; be elated.
Origin of air
1synonym study For air
Other words for air
Other words from air
- air·like, adjective
- un·aired, adjective
- well-aired, adjective
Words that may be confused with air
Other definitions for air (2 of 4)
Obsolete. before; previously.
Origin of air
2Other definitions for a-i-r (3 of 4)
artist-in-residence.
Other definitions for Aïr (4 of 4)
a region in northern Niger, in the Sahara: low massif and oases. About 30,000 sq. mi. (77,700 sq. km).
- Also called As·ben [ahs-ben] /ɑsˈbɛn/ .
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for air (1 of 3)
/ (ɛə) /
the mixture of gases that forms the earth's atmosphere. At sea level dry air has a density of 1.226 kilograms per cubic metre and consists of 78.08 per cent nitrogen, 20.95 per cent oxygen, 0.93 per cent argon, 0.03 per cent carbon dioxide, with smaller quantities of ozone and inert gases; water vapour varies between 0 and 4 per cent and in industrial areas sulphur gases may be present as pollutants
the space above and around the earth; sky: Related adjective: aerial
breeze; slight wind
public expression; utterance: to give air to one's complaints
a distinctive quality: an air of mystery
a person's distinctive appearance, manner, or bearing
music
a simple tune for either vocal or instrumental performance
another word for aria
transportation in aircraft (esp in the phrase by air)
an archaic word for breath (def. 1), breath (def. 2), breath (def. 3)
Australian informal the height gained when getting airborne in surfing, snowboarding, etc
clear the air to rid a situation of tension or discord by settling misunderstandings, etc
give someone the air slang to reject or dismiss someone
in the air
in circulation; current
in the process of being decided; unsettled
into thin air leaving no trace behind
off the air not in the act of broadcasting or being broadcast on radio or television
on the air in the act of broadcasting or being broadcast on radio or television
out of thin air or from thin air suddenly and unexpectedly
take the air to go out of doors, as for a short walk or ride
up in the air
uncertain
informal agitated or excited
walk on air to feel elated or exhilarated
(modifier) astrology of or relating to a group of three signs of the zodiac, Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius: Compare earth (def. 10), fire (def. 24), water (def. 12)
to expose or be exposed to the air so as to cool or freshen; ventilate: to air a room
to expose or be exposed to warm or heated air so as to dry: to air linen
(tr) to make known publicly; display; publicize: to air one's opinions
(intr) (of a television or radio programme) to be broadcast
Origin of air
1- See also airs
British Dictionary definitions for AIR (2 of 3)
All India Radio
British Dictionary definitions for Aïr (3 of 3)
/ (ˈɑːɪə) /
a mountainous region of N central Niger, in the Sahara, rising to 1500 m (5000 ft): a former native kingdom. Area: about 77 700 sq km (30 000 sq miles): Also called: Azbine, Asben
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for air
[ âr ]
The colorless, odorless, tasteless mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth. Air consists of about 78 percent nitrogen and 21 percent oxygen, with the remaining part made up mainly of argon, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, methane, and krypton in decreasing order of volume. Air also contains varying amounts of water vapor, particulate matter such as dust and soot, and chemical pollutants.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with air
In addition to the idiom beginning with air
- air one's grievances
also see:
- breath of fresh air
- castles in the air
- clear the air
- give someone the air
- hot air
- in the air
- into (out of) thin air
- nose in the air
- off the air
- put on airs
- up in the air
- walk on air
- wash (air) one's dirty linen
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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