1air 
/ˈeɚ/ noun
plural airs /ˈeɚ/ noun 1 [noncount] a : the invisible mixture of gases (such as nitrogen and oxygen) that surrounds the Earth and that people and animals breathe
▪ These laws are meant to produce cleaner air. ▪ A delicious smell filled the air. ▪ I like to dine outdoors in the open air. ▪ cool/warm air ▪ fresh air ▪ a sudden gust of air [=wind] ▪ polluted air ▪ stale air ▪ the hot summer air ▪ He can't breathe! Everybody move back and give him some air! ▪ High in the mountains the air is thin and it can be hard to breathe. ▪ He pumped air into the bicycle tire. ▪ My keys seem to have vanished/disappeared into thin air. [=to have vanished in a very sudden and mysterious way] ▪ He seemed to appear out of thin air. [=in a very sudden and mysterious way] — see also a breath of fresh air at breath
b : the space or sky that is filled with air
▪ land, water, and air ▪ The city is wonderful seen from the air. ▪ the fish of the sea and the birds of the air ▪ The balloon rose up into the air and then floated through/in the air. ▪ There has been heavy fighting on the ground and in the air. 2 [noncount] : methods of travel that involve flying
▪ travel by air [=by flying in airplanes] — often used before another noun ▪ an air attack ▪ air safety ▪ air travel/travelers 3 [singular] : a quality that a person or thing has
▪ a dignified air — often + of ▪ an air of dignity ▪ The new furniture has given the hotel an air of luxury. ▪ He has an air of mystery about him. [=he has a mysterious quality] 4 [count] old-fashioned : a song or tune
▪ a pleasing air 5 [noncount] US : air-conditioning
▪ a house with central air
▪ These laws are meant to produce cleaner air. ▪ A delicious smell filled the air. ▪ I like to dine outdoors in the open air. ▪ cool/warm air ▪ fresh air ▪ a sudden gust of air [=wind] ▪ polluted air ▪ stale air ▪ the hot summer air ▪ He can't breathe! Everybody move back and give him some air! ▪ High in the mountains the air is thin and it can be hard to breathe. ▪ He pumped air into the bicycle tire. ▪ My keys seem to have vanished/disappeared into thin air. [=to have vanished in a very sudden and mysterious way] ▪ He seemed to appear out of thin air. [=in a very sudden and mysterious way] — see also a breath of fresh air at breath
b : the space or sky that is filled with air
▪ land, water, and air ▪ The city is wonderful seen from the air. ▪ the fish of the sea and the birds of the air ▪ The balloon rose up into the air and then floated through/in the air. ▪ There has been heavy fighting on the ground and in the air.
▪ travel by air [=by flying in airplanes] — often used before another noun ▪ an air attack ▪ air safety ▪ air travel/travelers
▪ a dignified air — often + of ▪ an air of dignity ▪ The new furniture has given the hotel an air of luxury. ▪ He has an air of mystery about him. [=he has a mysterious quality]
▪ a pleasing air
▪ a house with central air
clear the air
: to talk about problems, feelings, etc., in order to reach agreement or understanding
▪ They cleared the air (between them) by discussing their differences.
▪ They cleared the air (between them) by discussing their differences.
floating on air or walking on air
: feeling very happy
▪ After he won the election, he was walking on air.
▪ After he won the election, he was walking on air.
give yourself airs or put on airs
: to act in a way that shows you think you are better than other people
▪ Some of her old friends have accused her of putting on airs since she became wealthy. ▪ She's very rich, but she doesn't give herself airs. ◊In British English, the phrase airs and graces describes an overly superior or proud way of behaving.
▪ She's very rich, but she doesn't give herself any airs and graces. = She doesn't have any airs and graces. = She doesn't put on any airs and graces.
▪ Some of her old friends have accused her of putting on airs since she became wealthy. ▪ She's very rich, but she doesn't give herself airs. ◊In British English, the phrase airs and graces describes an overly superior or proud way of behaving.
▪ She's very rich, but she doesn't give herself any airs and graces. = She doesn't have any airs and graces. = She doesn't put on any airs and graces.
hang in the air — see hang in at 1hang
in the air 1 : felt or sensed by many people
▪ There was a great sense of anticipation in the air as game time approached. 2 : expected to happen soon
▪ Many changes are in the air.
▪ There was a great sense of anticipation in the air as game time approached.
▪ Many changes are in the air.
nose in the air — see 1nose
off the air
of a radio or television station, program, etc. : not being broadcast
▪ The station is now off the air. ▪ They took him off the air because of his extreme views. ▪ It was my favorite show, but it went off the air [=stopped being broadcast] last year.
▪ The station is now off the air. ▪ They took him off the air because of his extreme views. ▪ It was my favorite show, but it went off the air [=stopped being broadcast] last year.
on the air also on air
of a radio or television station, program, etc. : being broadcast
▪ The interview will be on the air tomorrow. [=the interview will air tomorrow; the interview will be broadcast tomorrow] ▪ an interview being shown on air ▪ a show that first came/went on the air [=started being broadcast] five years ago ▪ The President went on the air to defend his policies.
▪ The interview will be on the air tomorrow. [=the interview will air tomorrow; the interview will be broadcast tomorrow] ▪ an interview being shown on air ▪ a show that first came/went on the air [=started being broadcast] five years ago ▪ The President went on the air to defend his policies.
up in the air
: not yet settled or decided
▪ Our vacation plans are still up in the air.
▪ Our vacation plans are still up in the air.
— air·less /ˈeɚləs/ adjective
▪ a hot, airless room
/ˈeɚləs/ adjective ▪ a hot, airless room
