Definition

1. Noun:

   • The invisible gaseous substance surrounding the Earth: A mixture of gases, primarily nitrogen and oxygen, that is essential for breathing and life.
   • The space above the ground; the sky: The open space or atmosphere.
   • A distinctive quality or appearance: A particular impression or feeling given by a person, place, or thing.
   • A tune or melody: A simple tune, especially in older music.
   • Travel via aircraft: The method or activity of traveling by airplane.
   • A slight breeze: A gentle movement of the atmosphere.
   • The medium for radio or television broadcasting: The medium through which broadcasts are transmitted.

2. Verb:

   • To expose to air: To ventilate, freshen, or dry something by exposing it to the open air.
   • To broadcast: To transmit a program on radio or television.
   • To express publicly: To make one's opinions or feelings known openly.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • We need fresh air. (We need fresh, clean atmosphere to breathe.)
  • The ball flew high into the air. (The ball went high up into the sky.)
  • She has an air of confidence. (She gives off a confident impression.)
  • He played a beautiful air on the flute. (He played a lovely melody on the flute.)
  • I prefer to travel by air. (I prefer to travel using airplanes.)
  • A cool air blew through the window. (A cool breeze came through the window.)
  • The show will be on the air at 8 PM. (The show will be broadcast at 8 PM.)

• Verb:

  • Please air the room. (Please ventilate the room to freshen it.)
  • The network will air the documentary tonight. (The network will broadcast the documentary tonight.)
  • He likes to air his views on politics. (He likes to express his political opinions publicly.)

Advanced Usage

• "In the air": Uncertain, not yet decided; also, felt by many people.

  • Our vacation plans are still in the air. (Our vacation plans are still uncertain.)
  • There was a sense of excitement in the air. (A feeling of excitement was present.)

• "To give oneself airs" / "To put on airs": To behave in a way that shows one thinks one is superior.

  • Ever since she got promoted, she's been giving herself airs. (Since her promotion, she has been acting superior.)

• "Up in the air": Undecided or unresolved.

  • The date for the meeting is still up in the air. (The meeting date is still not settled.)

• "On/off the air": Being broadcast/not being broadcast on radio or TV.

  • We are on the air in 5 seconds. (We will start broadcasting in 5 seconds.)
  • The station goes off the air at midnight. (The station stops broadcasting at midnight.)

Variants and Related Words

• Airy (adj): Light as air; spacious; delicate; also, not serious.

  • The room was light and airy. (The room was bright and well-ventilated.)
  • He dismissed her concerns with an airy wave. (He dismissed her concerns in a casual, unserious way.)

• Airing (n): An exposure to air for freshening or drying; a public expression or broadcast.

  • The blankets need an airing. (The blankets need to be aired out.)
  • The scandal got a full airing in the press. (The scandal was fully discussed in the newspapers.)

• Airless (adj): Stuffy; lacking fresh air.

  • The basement was dark and airless. (The basement was dark and had no fresh air.)

Synonyms

• Noun (Atmosphere): Atmosphere, sky, breeze, wind.
• Noun (Appearance): Appearance, aura, impression, manner, vibe.
• Verb (Ventilate): Ventilate, aerate, freshen.
• Verb (Broadcast): Broadcast, transmit, televise.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Air out: To expose something to fresh air to remove odors or moisture.

  • Let's air out the cabin after the winter. (Let's ventilate the cabin to freshen it after winter.)

• Air (something): This verb is often used directly with an object (e.g., air grievances, air a program) without a particle to form a distinct phrasal verb.

Related Idioms

• Castles in the air: Daydreams or plans that are unrealistic or unlikely to happen.

  • Planning to buy a yacht is just building castles in the air for now. (Planning to buy a yacht is just an unrealistic dream at the moment.)

• Clear the air: To remove tension or misunderstanding by talking about problems openly.

  • We had a big argument to clear the air. (We had a big argument to resolve our issues.)

• Vanish/Disappear into thin air: To disappear completely and mysteriously.

  • My keys seem to have vanished into thin air! (My keys have disappeared completely!)

• A breath of fresh air: Someone or something that is new, different, and refreshing.

  • The new manager is a breath of fresh air. (The new manager is a refreshing change.)

Noun

1. travel via aircraft
   • air travel involves too much waiting in airports
   • if you've time to spare go by air
2. medium for radio and television broadcasting
   • the program was on the air from 9 til midnight
   • the president used the airwaves to take his message to the people
3. a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
   • she was humming an air from Beethoven
4. once thought to be one of four elements composing the universe (Empedocles)
5. the mass of air surrounding the Earth
   • there was great heat as the comet entered the atmosphere
   • it was exposed to the air
6. a slight wind (usually refreshing)
   • the breeze was cooled by the lake
   • as he waited he could feel the air on his neck
7. a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing
   • an air of mystery
   • the house had a neglected air
   • an atmosphere of defeat pervaded the candidate's headquarters
   • the place had an aura of romance
8. the region above the ground
   • her hand stopped in mid air
   • he threw the ball into the air
9. a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
   • air pollution
   • a smell of chemicals in the air
   • open a window and let in some air
   • I need some fresh air

Verb

1. expose to cool or cold air so as to cool or freshen
   • air the old winter clothes
   • air out the smoke-filled rooms
2. expose to warm or heated air, so as to dry
   • Air linen
3. make public
   • She aired her opinions on welfare
4. broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television
   • We cannot air this X-rated song
5. be broadcast
   • This show will air Saturdays at 2 P.M.
6. expose to fresh air
   • aerate your old sneakers