Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a state of broadcasting: Refers to a program, performance, or transmission that is currently being broadcast live or recorded for broadcast by radio or television.
   • In a state of elation or extreme happiness: Used idiomatically to describe a feeling of great joy, lightness, or euphoria, as if one is not touching the ground.

Usage Examples

• Adverb (Broadcasting):
  • The radio host is on air from 6 AM to 10 AM every weekday.
  • Please be quiet; the news bulletin is on air right now.
• Adverb (Idiomatic - Happiness):
  • After receiving the promotion, she was on air for the rest of the week.
  • Winning the championship left the whole team feeling like they were on air.

Advanced Usage

• "To go on air": To begin broadcasting.
  • The new show will go on air next Monday at 8 PM.
• "To be live on air": To be broadcasting in real time, not pre-recorded.
  • The interview is live on air, so be careful what you say.

Variants and Related Words

• On-air (adjective): Used before a noun to describe something related to broadcasting.
  • He has thirty years of on-air experience.
  • The on-air talent must speak clearly.

Synonyms

• Broadcasting (for the media sense): Transmitting by radio or television.
• Overjoyed, Elated, Ecstatic (for the happiness sense): Feeling very great delight.

Related Phrases

• On the air: This phrase is often used interchangeably with "on air" in the broadcasting context.
  • Is this station on the air 24 hours a day?

Related Idioms

• Walking on air: An idiom identical in meaning to the idiomatic use of "on air," describing a state of blissful happiness.
  • When he proposed, she was walking on air.

Adverb

1. very happily
   • we were floating on air at the news