air
air
I
/ˈeɚ/ noun , pl airs
1 [ noncount ]
1 a : the invisible mixture of gases (such as nitrogen and oxygen) that surrounds the Earth and that people and animals breathe
These laws are meant to produce cleaner air.
A delicious smell filled the air.
I like to dine outdoors in the open air.
cool/warm air
fresh air
a sudden gust of air [=wind]
polluted air
stale air
the hot summer air
He can't breathe! Everybody move back and give him some air!
High in the mountains the air is thin and it can be hard to breathe.
He pumped air into the bicycle tire.
My keys seem to have vanished/disappeared into thin air. [=to have vanished in a very sudden and mysterious way]
He seemed to appear out of thin air. [=in a very sudden and mysterious way]
— see also a breath of fresh air at breath
1 b : the space or sky that is filled with air
land, water, and air
The city is wonderful seen from the air.
the fish of the sea and the birds of the air
The balloon rose up into the air and then floated through/in the air.
There has been heavy fighting on the ground and in the air.
2 [ noncount ] : methods of travel that involve flying
travel by air [=by flying in airplanes]
— often used before another noun
an air attack
air safety
air travel/travelers
3 [ singular ] : a quality that a person or thing has
a dignified air
— often + of
an air of dignity
The new furniture has given the hotel an air of luxury.
He has an air of mystery about him. [=he has a mysterious quality]
4 [ count ] old-fashioned : a song or tune
a pleasing air
5 [ noncount ] US : air-conditioning
a house with central air
clear the air
: to talk about problems, feelings, etc., in order to reach agreement or understanding
They cleared the air (between them) by discussing their differences.
floating on air (
: feeling very happy
After he won the election, he was walking on air.
give yourself airs (
: to act in a way that shows you think you are better than other people
Some of her old friends have accused her of putting on airs since she became wealthy.
She's very rich, but she doesn't give herself airs.
◇ In British English, the phrase airs and graces describes an overly superior or proud way of behaving.
She's very rich, but she doesn't give herself any airs and graces. = She doesn't have any airs and graces. = She doesn't put on any airs and graces.
hang in the air — see hang in at hang, 1
in the air
1 : felt or sensed by many people
There was a great sense of anticipation in the air as game time approached.
2 : expected to happen soon
Many changes are in the air.
nose in the air — see nose, 1
off the air
of a radio or television station, program, etc. : not being broadcast
The station is now off the air.
They took him off the air because of his extreme views.
It was my favorite show, but it went off the air [=stopped being broadcast] last year.
on the air (
of a radio or television station, program, etc. : being broadcast
The interview will be on the air tomorrow. [=the interview will air tomorrow; the interview will be broadcast tomorrow]
an interview being shown on air
a show that first came/went on the air [=started being broadcast] five years ago
The President went on the air to defend his policies.
up in the air
: not yet settled or decided
Our vacation plans are still up in the air.
air·less /ˈeɚləs/ adj
a hot, airless room
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II
verb , airs, aired, air·ing
1 a : to place something in an open area where there is a lot of moving air to make it cool, dry, or clean
[ + obj ] air a blanket
air damp clothing
[ no obj ] The blankets were left outside to air.
1 b : to allow air from the outside to enter something (such as a room) so that it becomes fresher or cleaner
[ + obj ] She opened the windows to air the room.
— usually + out in U.S. English
She opened the windows to air out the room.
air out a closet
[ no obj ]
— usually + out in U.S. English
She opened the windows to let the room air out.
2 [ + obj ] : to make (something) known in public : to state (something) publicly
The company had a meeting so that employees could air their complaints/grievances.
publicly airing their differences
Let's not air our dirty laundry [=discuss our problems, make our problems known] in public.
3 : to broadcast something on radio or television
[ + obj ] air a program
The interview will be aired tomorrow.
[ no obj ] The program airs daily.
The interview will air tomorrow.
