Air I Fresh Warm Night Thin Blast Currents

• 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.

air

1. the mixture of gases that surrounds the earth and that we breathe
• SEE ALSO sea air
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/sea-air
• 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.

Extra Examples

• 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.
2. the space above the ground or that is around things
• SEE ALSO big air
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/big-air
• Music filled the night air.
• Wave your hands in the air!
• I kicked the ball high into 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.
3. 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.
• 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.
4. the particular feeling or impression that is given by somebody/something; the way somebody does something
• She looked at him with a defiant air.
• 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.
5. a tune
• Bach’s Air on a G string
6. 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.
7. a way of behaving that shows that somebody thinks that they are more important, etc. than they really are
• SYNONYM airs
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/air_1#air_sng_6
• Even when he became a star he didn’t have any airs and graces.
8. 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.
9. (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.
10. 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.
11. to make the air less dirty or less humid (= warm and wet)
• Storms were supposed to clear the air.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. to feel very happy
• Most couples feel they are walking on air on their wedding day.
15. felt by a number of people to exist or to be happening
• There's romance in the air.
16. 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.
17. from nowhere or nothing, as if by magic
• Unfortunately, I can’t just conjure up the money out of thin air!
18. 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?’
19. not yet decided
• Our travel plans are still up in the air.
20. 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.

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’.