air
air
/eə(r)/
gas
1 uncountable the mixture of gases that surrounds the earth and that we breathe Let's go out for some fresh air.
a blast of hot air
currents of warm air
He stood outside, breathing the cold night air.
She was gasping for air as she ran out of the burning house.
whales coming up for air (= in order to breathe)
I need to put some air in my tyres.
The agreement requires reductions in air pollution.
The Act lays down a minimum standard for air quality.
He drew in another breath of air.
I sat for a moment, inhaling the fresh forest air.
It's difficult carrying such heavy loads in the thin air of the mountains.
Land crabs breathe air and cannot swim.
The cool night air wafted in the open windows.
There are regulatory requirements for clean air and water.
We felt a blast of cold air as she opened the door.
the musty smell of stale air
the polluted air of our cities
warm currents of air
Nothing moved in the still air.
SEE ALSO sea air
Collocations
adjective
… of air
verb + air
breathe in
air + verb
air + noun
preposition
in the air
into the air
through the air
phrases
in the open air
space
1 uncountable (usually the air) the space above the ground or that is around things Music filled the night air.
in/into the air Wave your hands in the air!
I kicked the ball high into the air.
through the air Spicy smells wafted through the air.
He punched the air in triumph.
The air was thick with cigarette smoke.
The tang of some wild herb hung in the air.
Suddenly a scream pierced the air.
The air was sweet with incense.
The dog stretched and sniffed the air.
SEE ALSO big air, mid-air, mid-air, open air for planes
3 uncountable the space above the earth where planes fly The temple was clearly visible from the air.
We watched as the helicopter took to the air.
by air It only takes three hours by air (= in a plane).
air travel/traffic
air defence systems (= weapons that defend against attacks from the air)
A surprise air attack (= from aircraft) was launched at night.
Collocations
air + noun
preposition
by air
from the air
impression
4 singular the particular feeling or impression that is given by somebody/something; the way somebody does something She looked at him with a defiant air.
air of something The room had an air of luxury.
There was an air of complete confidence about her.
He had an air of mystery about him.
He leaned over to Melissa with an air of confidentiality.
You have an air of authority.
Collocations
verb + air
preposition
with an/the air
air of
tune
5 countable (old-fashioned) (often used in the title of a piece of music) a tune Bach’s Air on a G string
behaviour
6 airs plural (disapproving) a way of behaving that shows that somebody thinks that they are more important, etc. than they really are I hate the way she puts on airs.
Idioms
air
/eə(r)/
clothes
1 transitive, intransitive air (something) 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 Air the sheets well.
Leave the towels out to air.
a room
(North American English air (something) out)
to allow fresh air into a room or a building; to be filled with fresh air
The rooms had all been cleaned and aired.
Leave the window open to air the room.
opinions
3 transitive air something to express your opinions publicly The weekly meeting enables employees to air their grievances.
The issues were openly aired and discussed by the group.
Collocations
adverb
radio/TV programme
The show will be aired next Tuesday night.
The program aired last week.
Idioms
Phrasal Verbs
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’.