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air

air

230 6.8
A feeling around a person, place, or thing that others notice
  • noun
  • /ɛr/
translation icon : aire
  • Both men had a certain kind of sharp good looks and an air of arrogant accomplishment.
  • lend an air of
  • an air of unreality
  • a general air of

For one thing, novels kind of float in in the air of the reader.

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Examples

  • The old library had an air of mystery that made it a favorite among local ghost hunters.

  • There was a sense of electricity in the air, of expectancy and high hopes.

    Academic text (1992)
  • So we feel good about it and we project an air of impact.

  • Just you just have an air about you that says I did not just rest.

  • I think this is just the air of the city of Washington, DC itself.

  • But the promise of tomorrow hung in the air.

  • As a medical provider, you have to carry yourself with the air of professionalism.

  • The air is heavy with anticipation as the silent crowd awaits the decision.

  • Democracy is everywhere in the air, and popular mobilization, though very uneven, is consequential.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The artist always carries an air of confidence that captivates her audience.

Synonyms

atmosphere
vsair
319 3.2

The mood or feeling in a place

focuses on a distinctive intangible quality rather than general mood
vibe
vsair
  • Informal
200 6.4

A mood you feel from a place, person, or music

highlights a distinctive quality rather than only an emotional impression
flavor
vsair
  • US
105 3.1

The general impression a place or event gives

emphasizes a distinctive surrounding quality instead of overall impression
aura
vsair
73 6.3

A special feeling people notice around a person, place, or thing

means the same but feels more openly distinctive
smell
vsair
54 5.6

A feeling in a place that suggests a situation or mood

contrasts by pointing to a distinctive surrounding quality rather than intuitive sense
ambiance
vsair
  • US
16 5.3

The mood of a place, for example a cafe or restaurant

stresses a distinctive surrounding quality more than just mood

Antonyms

3 4.1

A state of being usual and not special

1 4.1

A pleasant, polite style that feels too safe or insincere

Idioms

124 3.7

A feeling many people notice, like excitement or joy, that something will happen

43 3.6

Broadcasting live on radio or television for the public

31 4.7

Not yet decided or settled

26 6.3

Disappear completely with no trace left

Suddenly with no clear reason, like magic

20 3.2

A person or thing that brings a welcome change to a situation

A strong sound, smell, or feeling that people notice around them

hot air
  • Informal
17 5.3

Talk that sounds important but has no real meaning

on air
  • Informal
9 5.9

Feeling very happy and excited

To vanish suddenly with no trace

walking on air
  • Informal
1 3.7

Feeling very happy and excited

1 8.2

An idea or plan that is unrealistic and unlikely to happen

A strong feeling that people in a place notice and feel

To feel very happy and excited

8.4

To talk about private or embarrassing family matters in public

8.6

To talk about private, embarrassing problems in public

9.9

To use swear words, often when angry

Compounds

637 2.8

A branch of a country's military that uses planes to fight and protect the country

143 1.0

Clean outdoor air that feels refreshing and healthy

System that controls temperature and air movement inside buildings to keep people comfortable

75 3.0

Planes moving in the sky in one area at one time

air power
  • Specialized
65 4.0

Military strength a country has from its planes

A machine that cools and removes water from the air in a room or building

thin air
  • Informal
45 5.3

A place where something disappears suddenly and cannot be found

35 4.1

Aircraft that help soldiers on the ground during fighting

32 4.2

A sudden attack by military planes that drop bombs and shoot at the ground

air defense
  • Specialized
30 4.2

Systems and weapons that protect a place from enemy aircraft or missiles

28 2.0

Travel by plane to move people or goods

air base
  • Specialized
26 3.3

A military place where people keep, fix, and fly planes and helicopters

surface-to-air
  • Specialized
26 6.6

A weapon launched from the ground to hit targets in the air

26 2.6

Harmful gases, smoke, and small particles in the air that can damage health or nature

19 6.3

A weapon launched from the ground or a ship to destroy aircraft in the sky

air pressure
  • Specialized
18 2.2

The weight of the air pushing down on a surface

17 2.7

The part of the United States military that flies planes and defends the country in the air and space

A large bag filled with hot air that lifts people in a basket

A branch of the United States military that fights in the air and space

13 3.7

An attack by military planes on the enemy

13 2.8

A channel like a pipe that moves air to bring fresh air into buildings

13 2.1

Warm air that rises when it is heated

A school that trains people to be officers in an air force

11 2.1

Taking place outside and not under a roof

10 2.0

A flat mattress you fill with air for sleeping

compressed air
  • Specialized
9 3.7

Air kept at higher pressure than normal and used to power tools

air cover
  • Jargon
9 5.0

Military aircraft protect soldiers or ships from enemy attack during an operation

8 1.9

A small pocket of air trapped inside a liquid or solid

8 2.8

A machine that removes dust and small particles from the air as it passes through

8 1.0

Outside in a place that is not covered

7 4.9

A government officer who travels as a passenger to protect people on planes from hijacking

air pocket
  • Specialized
7 5.3

A sudden drop of a plane caused by a small area of falling air

6 4.7

A vertical passage in a building or mine that lets air move through spaces

air lock
  • Specialized
5 5.6

A chamber that lets people move between places with different air pressure while preventing air mixing

A reserve force of civilian volunteers who support the United States Air Force in war and emergencies

5 2.3

A person who travels by plane

dead air
  • Literature
5 6.3

A short, unplanned silence during a radio or TV broadcast

air bag
  • Specialized
5 2.8

A safety cushion inside a car that fills with air quickly during a crash to protect people

air-to-air
  • Specialized
4 5.8

Used by one plane to aim at or talk to another plane in the air

A branch of the United States military that uses planes and works in space to defend the country

Air Corps
  • Archaic
4 6.8

A former part of the United States Army that flew military planes before the Air Force existed

4 3.3

A movement of air from one place to another

4 2.7

A flexible tube that carries air under pressure to inflate tires or power tools

3 3.7

A gun that uses compressed air to fire small pellets

3 3.5

The United Kingdom's military force that uses planes

air mass
  • Specialized
3 3.4

A large area of air with about the same temperature, humidity, and pressure

3 4.2

A military base where planes are kept, fixed, and flown

3 3.0

People who work on a plane during a flight, like pilots and cabin staff

3 1.9

A tool that moves air into or out of objects such as tires and balls

The movement of people or goods by plane

The movement of people or goods by plane

A machine that pushes air to a higher pressure to power tools or inflate things

A strong place, often underground, that protects people from bombs

air-intake
  • Specialized
2 3.9

A part that lets air enter an engine or machine

A machine that cools and dries the air in a room or building

air-cooled
  • Specialized
2 4.1

Cooled by air instead of by water

air-to-air missile
  • Specialized
2 5.3

A weapon that one plane fires to destroy another plane in the air

air-to-ground
  • Specialized
2 4.7

Used from a plane to attack or send messages to targets on the ground

A market that takes place outdoors where stalls sell food and other goods

2 2.8

Air that smells old and feels heavy

1 3.4

A machine with a filter that removes dust and small particles from the air

air passage
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A channel that moves air in or out of places like buildings and mines

1 3.1

A device that shoots small pellets using compressed air instead of gunpowder

1 6.2

A United States military medal given for brave or very good actions during flying missions

air unit
  • Specialized
1 4.8

A group in an air force that uses aircraft for missions

1 3.2

A feeling of sickness and dizziness during a plane flight

lighter-than-air
  • Specialized
1 6.8

Able to rise and float in the air like a balloon or airship

air embolism
  • Specialized
1 6.0

Bubbles of air in the blood that block blood flow and can cause serious harm

air hostess
  • Archaic
1 2.2

A woman who looks after passengers on a plane

air mile
  • Specialized
1 3.2

A unit of distance used in flying that equals 1,852 meters

air rage
  • Literature
1 7.4

Violent or angry actions by passengers on a plane because they feel stressed and frustrated

1 3.0

Completely sealed so no air can get in or out

fuel-air explosive
  • Specialized
1 7.3

A weapon that sprays fuel into the air and then sets it on fire to make a very strong blast

How Noticeable

aura
73 6.3
air
230 6.8
atmosphere
319 3.2
vibe
  • Informal
200 6.4
hint
153 1.5

Surface Forms

air singular
airs plural

Etymology

An air of confidence uses the old sense of aēr as the space or atmosphere around a person, so an 'air' is the feeling or mood that seems to surround someone.