aura
noun
a distinctive and pervasive quality or character; air; atmosphere.
aura
1 American
[awr-uh]
/ หษr ษ /
noun
-
auras,
plural
-
aurae
plural
-
a distinctive and pervasive quality or character; air; atmosphere.
an aura of respectability;
an aura of friendliness.
-
a subtly pervasive quality or atmosphere seen as emanating from a person, place, or thing.
-
Pathology. a sensation, as of lights or a current of warm or cold air, preceding an attack of migraine or epilepsy.
Aura
2
American
[awr-uh]
/ หษr ษ /
noun
Classical Mythology.
aura
British
/ หษหrษ /
noun
-
a distinctive air or quality considered to be characteristic of a person or thing
-
any invisible emanation, such as a scent or odour
-
pathol strange sensations, such as noises in the ears or flashes of light, that immediately precede an attack, esp of epilepsy
-
(in parapsychology) an invisible emanation produced by and surrounding a person or object: alleged to be discernible by individuals of supernormal sensibility
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of aura
First recorded in 1350โ1400; Middle English, from Latin, from Greek: โbreath (of air)โ
Explanation
You know that intangible glow, that certain magical something that your mom gives off? Get your glasses fixed and you'll see the aura emanating from her head isn't her special powers โ just your bad eyes. You may have heard the noun aura used to describe the atmosphere surrounding something magical, like a fairy, or around a living being, like the calm vibes emanating from a meditating yogi. But did you know that it can refer to the sensation โ one of coolness or bright light โ thatโs experienced before the onset of a seizure or migraine? Aura can also apply to the force that some people believe radiates from living organisms as an indicator of their unique essence.
Vocabulary lists containing aura
Matilda
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A Long Way Gone
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Scrabble: Four-Letter Words with 3 Vowels
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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.
See Examples For:
Garrett, a 10th year pro and two-time NFL defensive player of the year, laughed when asked if he was conscious of his aura.
From Los Angeles Times โ Aug. 2, 2026
There’s a sense of childlike play in the work, but also an aura of the mythic, bringing to mind animal deities who hide deep in the wilds.
From The Wall Street Journal โ Jul. 31, 2026
"Messi has the most aura out of any footballer. Messi's aura is just next level, so it's going to be interesting."
From BBC โ Jul. 12, 2026
Or will her aura, the sheer sense of simply just being Serena Williams, be enough to carry her through the opening round at least?
From BBC โ Jun. 30, 2026
There were mirrors that reflected the viewer’s aura, and they came with little cards to tell what the colors meant.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Aura makes heating equipment that is built into bigger industrial machines, such as presses, ovens and extruders—which make everything from plastic bags and window frames to car parts and snacks.
From The Wall Street Journal โ Jul. 4, 2026
Aura Salla, member of the European Parliament from Finland in the European People’s Party, said there is a growing acceptance that Europe needs technological sovereignty.
From Slate โ Feb. 13, 2026
Eight year old Aura V is nominated for best children's album for Harmony, a bubbly, life-affirming record she made with her dad, Harold Simmons II.
From BBC โ Jan. 31, 2026
“When I cut my hair, I feel like that aura has been turned up. Aura points going up. It’s like, ‘I’m back.’
From Los Angeles Times โ Oct. 17, 2024
"Three point five for Manner, three point two for Age, and two point four for Aura," Ivy says, and it's a punch to the stomach.
From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton
Kew expert Tuula Niskanen found two of the Scottish species, including Cortinarius aurae, which she named after her daughter, Aura.
From BBC โ Dec. 17, 2020
War banners rustled from cedar ceiling beams as aurae blew back and forth, keeping everyone’s plates full.
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
Just for a moment, one of the aurae became visible—an elfin girl in a white silk dress.
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
There was much talk of aurae at that time, and Fred mused that every beautiful, every compellingly beautiful woman, had an aura, whether other people did or no.
From The Song of the Lark by Willa Sibert Cather
These creations seem to glow, beckoning us toward their surfaces to be enveloped by the inviting auras they emit.
From The Wall Street Journal โ Jan. 9, 2026
"Spotify Wrapped flopped this year so bad. Like where are the music cities, the playlists, the top genres or the listening auras… all that wait for WHAT?"
From Salon โ Dec. 4, 2024
From the ceiling of that small, carpeted room, theater lights treated with red and blue filters combine to throw auras of deep magenta on opposing walls.
From New York Times โ Apr. 17, 2024
Ducrot’s installation underscored the theme of unique haute couture auras, garments that transcend fashion to reflect the wearer’s individuality.
From Seattle Times โ Jan. 22, 2024
Manifestors walk and fly around the lobby alongside Rougarous, Vampires, Azizas, and Remarkables with auras I don’t recognize.
From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, ยฉ Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritageยฎ Idioms Dictionary copyright ยฉ 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
