/ eə(r); NAmE er/ noun , verb
■ noun
GAS
1.
[ U ] the mixture of gases that surrounds the earth and that we breathe :
air pollution
Let's go out for some fresh air .
I need to put some air in my tyres.
currents of warm air
➡ note at outside
SPACE
2.
[ U ] (usually the air ) the space above the ground or that is around things :
I kicked the ball high in / into the air .
Spicy smells wafted through the air .
Music filled the night air.
—see also open air
FOR PLANES
3.
[ U ] the space above the earth where planes fly :
It only takes three hours by air (= in a plane) .
air travel / traffic
The temple was clearly visible from the air.
A surprise air attack (= from aircraft) was launched at night.
IMPRESSION
4.
[ sing. ] the particular feeling or impression that is given by sb/sth; the way sb does sth :
The room had an air of luxury.
She looked at him with a defiant air.
TUNE
5.
[ C ] ( old-fashioned ) (often used in the title of a piece of music) a tune :
Bach's Air on a G string
BEHAVIOUR
6.
airs [ pl. ] ( disapproving ) a way of behaving that shows that sb thinks that they are more important, etc. than they really are :
I hate the way she puts on airs .
•
IDIOMS
- airs and graces
- float / walk on air
- in the air
- on / off (the) air
- up in the air
—more at breath , castle , clear verb , nose noun , pluck verb , thin adjective
■ verb
CLOTHES
1.
( especially BrE ) to put clothing, etc. in a place that is warm or has plenty of air so that it dries completely and smells fresh; to be left to dry somewhere :
[ vn ]
Air the sheets well.
[ v ]
Leave the towels out to air.
A ROOM
2.
( BrE ) ( NAmE ˌair (sth) ˈout ) to allow fresh air into a room or a building; to be filled with fresh air :
[ vn ]
The rooms had all been cleaned and aired.
[also v ]
OPINIONS
3.
[ vn ] to express your opinions publicly
SYN voice :
The weekly meeting enables employees to air their grievances .
RADIO / TV PROGRAMME
4.
( especially NAmE ) to broadcast a programme on the radio or on television; to be broadcast :
[ vn ]
The show will be aired next Tuesday night.
[ v ]
The program aired last week.
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- air out | air sth out
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in senses 1-3 of noun): from Old French air , from Latin aer , from Greek aēr , denoting the gas. Senses 4 and 6 of the noun are from French air , probably from Old French aire site, disposition, from Latin ager , agr- field (influenced by senses 1-3). Sense 5 of the noun comes from Italian aria , from Latin aer air.