air

I UK [eə(r)] / US [er] noun
Word forms "air":
singular air plural airs
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1)

a) [uncountable] the mixture of gases surrounding the Earth that we breathe

Do we really want all these cars polluting the air?

She breathed in the cold air.

I'd like to open the window: I need some air.

a blast/rush/draught/gust of air (= a current of moving air):

A blast of cold air swept through the house.

b) the air the space around things and above the ground

They threw their hats up into the air.

The baby waved its legs in the air.

birds flying through the air

2)

a) [singular] a feeling or attitude that someone has

air of:

She spoke with her usual air of authority.

b) the feeling that a place or situation gives you

The overgrown garden gave the house a neglected air.

air of:

There was an air of unreality about the whole proceeding.

3) airs

[plural] behaviour that is not natural and relaxed by someone who wants to impress people and seem important put on airs:

My friends are people I trust, and I don't have to put on airs with them.

airs and graces:

Despite her fame, she has no airs and graces and makes everyone feel comfortable.

4) [countable] music old-fashioned a piece of music that has a simple tune

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into/out of thin air — if someone or something disappears into thin air or appears out of thin air, they disappear or appear in a sudden and mysterious way

When I looked round he seemed to have vanished into thin air.

It just happened, out of thin air.

off (the) air — no longer broadcasting on radio or television

After just three episodes the series was taken off the air.

Wait till we're off air (= have stopped being broadcast).

on (the) air — on radio or television

The programme first went on the air 28 years ago.

He's always prepared to defend his case on air.

- be up in the air

- by air

- something is in the air

- take to the air

See:

clear II, float I, fresh air, hot air, the open air, walk I

II UK [eə(r)] / US [er] verb
Word forms "air":
present tense I/you/we/they air he/she/it airs present participle airing past tense aired past participle aired

1) [transitive] to say in public what your opinions or complaints about something are

In an interview, the singer aired his views on family life.

We hold meetings where residents' problems can be aired.

air your grievances (= complain):

Employees should be given the opportunity to air their grievances.

2) [transitive] to broadcast something on radio or television

Many viewers were shocked when the TV news aired graphic footage of the war.

The show was first aired in 2001.

3)

a) [intransitive/transitive] if you air a place or it airs, you open the doors and windows to let fresh air in

b) if you air clothes, sheets etc or they air, you put them in warm or moving air until they are completely dry and smell clean