airs

British  

/ ɛəz /

plural noun

1. affected manners intended to impress others (esp in the phrases give oneself airs, put on airs )

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Explanation

To have airs is to be condescending or arrogant — in other words, to act like you think you're better than other people. If you put on airs, you'll find it hard to make friends. It's most common to find the word airs in the phrase "to put on airs." This basically means to act snobbish or stuck up. Someone who puts on airs is extremely annoying to everyone around him, clearly pretentious and mannered in his attitude. The phrase has been around since the 1780s, and it comes from the French air, "look, appearance, bearing, or tone."

Example Sentences

Despite the gory content, Alastair - who has been back at work for five-and-half months - admits he will probably watch his surgery again when the programme airs.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

CNN airs a rehash of the Washington Post story.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

It moved to the Welsh-language channel S4C in 1982, where it currently airs three times a week.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

Photographers and video crews were stationed outside the street level studio in Rockefeller Plaza where the program airs live each weekday.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Snowfall is never known there, neither long frost of winter, nor torrential rain, but only mild and lulling airs from Ocean bearing refreshment for the souls of men— the West Wind always blowing.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer