air
noun /eə(r)/
/er/
Idioms - [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.
Homophones air | heirair heirsee also sea air/eə(r)//er/- air noun
- I kicked the ball high into the air.
- air verb
- I opened the window to air the room.
- heir noun
- He left most of his property to his eldest son and heir.
Extra ExamplesTopics The environmenta1, Weathera1- 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.
- They have developed an engine powered by compressed air.
- 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.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- hot
- warm
- chill
- …
- blast
- gust
- rush
- …
- breathe
- breathe in
- gulp in
- …
- blow
- circulate
- flow
- …
- pollution
- quality
- pressure
- …
- in the air
- into the air
- through the air
- …
- in the open air
- [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.
Extra Examples- 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.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- hot
- warm
- chill
- …
- blast
- gust
- rush
- …
- breathe
- breathe in
- gulp in
- …
- blow
- circulate
- flow
- …
- pollution
- quality
- pressure
- …
- in the air
- into the air
- through the air
- …
- in the open air
- [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.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryair + noun- travel
- fare
- traffic
- …
- by air
- from the air
- [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.
Extra Examples- He had an air of mystery about him.
- He leaned over to Melissa with an air of confidentiality.
- You have an air of authority.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + air- have
- retain
- add
- …
- with an/the air
- air of
- [countable] (old-fashioned) (often used in the title of a piece of music) a tune
- Bach’s Air on a G string
- 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.
see also hot air
gas
space
for planes
impression
tune
behaviour
Word OriginMiddle 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’.
Idioms
airs and graces
- (British English, disapproving) a way of behaving that shows that somebody thinks that they are more important, etc. than they really are synonym airs
- Even when he became a star he didn’t have any airs and graces.
a breath of (fresh) air
- clean air breathed in after being indoors or in a dirty atmosphere
- We'll get a breath of fresh air at lunchtime.
- I'm going outside for a breath of fresh air.
(build) castles in the air
- (to have) plans or dreams that are not likely to happen or come true
- As a child he would wander round the boatyards, building castles in the air about owning a boat one day.
clear the air
- to improve a difficult or tense situation by talking about worries, doubts, etc.
- This meeting will be an opportunity to clear the air and start the healing process.
- to make the air less dirty or less humid (= warm and wet)
- Storms were supposed to clear the air.
disappear, vanish, etc. into thin air
- to disappear suddenly in a mysterious way
- She can’t just have vanished into thin air.
- At a stroke she could make things vanish into thin air.
finger in the air
- (informal) used to refer to an estimate or method of doing something that is not very accurate or scientific and partly based on guessing
- It isn’t an exact science—it’s a kind of finger in the air thing.
- ‘It’s all a bit finger in the air,’ admitted a spokesman.
float/walk on air
- to feel very happy
- Most couples feel they are walking on air on their wedding day.
in the air
- felt by a number of people to exist or to be happening
- There's romance in the air.
on/off (the) air
- broadcasting or not broadcasting on television or radio
- We will be back on air tomorrow morning at 7.
- The programme was taken off the air over the summer.
out of thin air
- from nowhere or nothing, as if by magic
- Unfortunately, I can’t just conjure up the money out of thin air!
pluck something out of the air
- to say a name, number, etc. without thinking about it, especially in answer to a question
- I just plucked a figure out of the air and said : ‘Would £1 000 seem reasonable to you?’
up in the air
- not yet decided
- Our travel plans are still up in the air.
with your nose in the air
- (informal) in a way that is not friendly and suggests that you think that you are better than other people
- She walked in with her nose in the air, ignoring everyone.