air
/eə/ IELTSAcademic
noun
The mixture of gases around the Earth that we breathe. It is also the space above the ground or a feeling in a place.
- The air felt cool this morning.
- We breathed fresh air by the lake.
- There was an air of excitement in the room.
verb
To make something known publicly, especially on radio or television. It can also mean to let something get fresh air.
- The interview will air tonight.
- Please air the blankets in the sun.
- She aired her views at the meeting.
Adinary Nuance
Air is more general than words like atmosphere, breeze, or wind. Use air for the gas around us, but use breeze or wind when you mean moving air. In formal writing, atmosphere can sound more technical, while air is the everyday choice.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- không khí
- Spanish
- aire
- Chinese
- 空气
- Japanese
- 空気
- Korean
- 공기
Etymology
Old English air, a form influenced by Old French air and Latin aer, from Greek aēr, meaning 'air' or 'mist'. The modern English word has been used since the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
fresh airin the airair pollutionopen air
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is air countable or uncountable?
- Air is usually uncountable. We say 'some air' or 'a breath of air', not 'an air'.
- What is the difference between air and atmosphere?
- Air is the gas we breathe. Atmosphere is more formal and can mean the layer around Earth.
- Can air be used as a verb?
- Yes. It can mean to broadcast something or to make an opinion public.