air

¹air

noun, often attributive \ˈer\

Definition of AIR

1

a archaic : breath b : the mixture of invisible odorless tasteless gases (as nitrogen and oxygen) that surrounds the earth c : a light breeze

2

a : empty space b : nothingness <vanished into thin air> c : a sudden severance of relations <she gave me the air>

3

[probably translation of Italian aria] a : tune, melody b Elizabethan & Jacobean music : an accompanied song or melody in usually strophic form c : the chief voice part or melody in choral music

4

a : outward appearance of a thing <an air of luxury> b : a surrounding or pervading influence : atmosphere <an air of mystery> c : the look, appearance, or bearing of a person especially as expressive of some personal quality or emotion : demeanor <an air of dignity> d : an artificial or affected manner <put on airs>

5

: public utterance <he gave air to his opinion>

6

: compressed air

7

a (1) : aircraft <go by air> (2) : aviation <air safety> <air rights> (3) : air force <air headquarters> b (1) : the medium of transmission of radio waves; also : radio, television <went on the air> (2) : airtime

8

: a football offense utilizing primarily the forward pass <trailing by 20 points, the team took to the air>

9

: an air-conditioning system

10

: the height achieved in performing an aerial maneuver <a snowboarder catching big air>; also : the maneuver itself

— air·less \-ləs\ adjective

— air·less·ness noun

— in the air

: in wide circulation : about

— up in the air

: not yet settled

Examples of AIR

1. These laws are meant to produce cleaner air.
2. A delicious smell filled the air.
3. I like to dine outdoors in the open air.
4. He can't breathe! Everybody move back and give him some air!
5. High in the mountains the air is thin and it can be hard to breathe.
6. He pumped air into the bicycle tire.
7. The city is wonderful seen from the air.
8. the fish of the sea and the birds of the air
9. The balloon rose up into the air and then floated through the air.
10. There has been heavy fighting on the ground and in the air.

Origin of AIR

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin aer, from Greek aēr

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to AIR

Synonyms: melody, lay, song, strain, tune, warble

Related Words: descant (also discant); cadence, measure, meter, rhythm; ballad, ditty, hymn, lyric, madrigal

Near Antonyms: calm

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at pose

Other Climate/Meteorology Terms

monsoon, occlusion, ozone, rime, squall, zephyr

Rhymes with AIR

Ayr, bare, bear, Blair, blare, care, chair, chare, dare, Dare, e'er, ere, err, eyre, fair, fare, flair, flare, glair, glare, hair, hare, Herr, heir, lair, mare, ne'er, pair, pare, pear, prayer, rare, rear, scare, share, snare, spare, square, stair, stare, swear, tare, tear, their, there, vair, ware, wear, weir, where, yare