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Glite Dictionary
light air

light air

5.7
A very light wind that barely moves leaves or a sail
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : brisa ligera
  • On a summer afternoon, we enjoyed a picnic by the lake, feeling the gentle touch of the light air on our faces.

Examples

  • You will notice the light air.

    Academic text (2006)

  • A pelican sailed over on light air currents.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • The floors were strewn with freshly cut fragrant grass, and the wide open windows allowed a stream of fresh, light air to enter the room.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • The sailboat glided smoothly across the water, propelled by the light air that filled its sails.

  • The light air rustled through the trees, creating a soothing melody that welcomed the warmer season.

Synonyms

brise
vslight air
  • Archaic
8.2

A gentle wind that cools the air

is a precise meteorological term specifying wind speed of one to three knots

Antonyms

strong wind
23 1.0

A wind that blows very hard and can move things

How Windy

gale
24 5.8
strong wind
23 1.0
moderate breeze
  • Specialized
2.9
gentle breeze
  • Specialized
4 2.2
light breeze
3 1.5
light air
  • Specialized
5.7
calm
735 1.0

Surface Forms

light air singular
light airs plural

Morphology

light + air

The meaning 'a very light wind' is directly and compositionally derived from 'light' (of small intensity) modifying 'air' (a breeze), so the phrase transparently describes a slight breeze. This simple adjective+noun pattern is cross-linguistically common and follows standard English compounding, so a B1 learner who knows both words would be able to infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Light air comes from the simple image of light meaning 'not strong' and air meaning 'wind', a gentle breeze that barely moves leaves or a sail. So, it means 'a very gentle wind'.