air

noungases forming the atmosphere

noundistinctive quality or character; style
nounmusical tune
verbput into the atmosphere; freshen
verbexpress opinion publicly

Word Origin & History

c.1300, "invisible gases that make up the atmosphere," from Old French air "atmosphere, breeze, weather" (12c.), from Latin aerem (nominative aer) "air, lower atmosphere, sky," from Greek aer (genitive aeros) "air" (related to aenai "to blow, breathe"), of unknown origin, possibly from a base *awer- and thus related to aeirein "to raise" and arteria "windpipe, artery" (see aorta) on notion of "lifting, that which rises." In Homer mostly "thick air, mist;" later "air" as one of the four elements.

Words for "air" in Indo-European languages tend to be associated with wind, brightness, sky. In English, air Replaced native lyft, luft (see loft (n.)). To be in the air "in general awareness" is from 1875; up in the air "uncertain, doubtful" is from 1752. To build castles in the air is from 1590s (in 17c. English had airmonger "one preoccupied with visionary projects"). Broadcasting sense (e.g. on the air) first recorded 1927. To give (someone) the air "dismiss" is from 1900. Air pollution is attested by 1870.

Example Sentences for air

Mrs. Higbee hovered near him with an air of proud ownership.

He sat down in a chair, and stretched out his legs, with an air of being at home.

His senses breathed the air of her perfect and compelling femininity.

He had the air of laying at her feet, as a rug, the whole glorious history of France.

We let the air pass through our closed teeth and we write down "S."

To Kate, for instance, she was a necessity of existence, like light or air.

He has an air, it is true, but his air is not a breeze, like the air of a pretender to fashion.

"Nonsense," he laughed, with the air of a man certain of his facts.

It was quite cool there, very dark, and the air came in through two windows.

Fortunately, there was just then a flood of evening sunshine in the air.

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Synonyms for air

noun gases forming the atmosphere

air

Synonyms for air

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affectation

affectedness

appearance

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aspects

air

Synonyms for air

More words related to air

.css-1unrqcp{color:inherit;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}affectation

affectedness

appearance

appearances

aspect

aspects

affectation