airthe atmosphere: The air is fresher in the mountains.; expose: air grievances; a tune: She hummed an air.Not to be confused with:err ? be mistaken or incorrect; to go astray morally; sin; transgress: To err is human.heir ? one who inherits an estate: Her nephew is her only heir.Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embreeair (âr)n.1. a. A colorless, odorless, tasteless, gaseous mixture, mainly nitrogen (approximately 78 percent) and oxygen (approximately 21 percent) with lesser amounts of argon, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, neon, helium, and other gases.b. This mixture with varying amounts of moisture and particulate matter, enveloping the earth; the atmosphere.2. a. The sky; the firmament.b. A giant void; nothingness: The money vanished into thin air.3. An atmospheric movement; a breeze or wind.4. Sports A height achieved by a jump or as part of an airborne maneuver, as in skateboarding or snowboarding: getting big air off the halfpipe; had big airs on every run down the course.5. Aircraft: send troops to Europe by air.6. a. Public utterance; vent: gave air to their grievances.b. The medium of broadcast radio or television: “often ridiculed … extremist groups on air” (Christian Science Monitor).7. a. A manner of behaving that conveys an impression: a leader with an air of conviction.b. A distinctive quality or appearance; an aura: The messy room had an air of desperation to it.c. The general environment or condition, as in attitudes and ideas: growing impatience in the air.d. airs Affected behavior; affectation: put on airs. See Synonyms at affectation.8. Music a. A melody or tune, especially in the soprano or tenor range.b. A solo with or without accompaniment.9. Air conditioning.10. Archaic Breath.v. aired, air·ing, airs v.tr.1. To expose to the air in order to dry, cool, or freshen; ventilate.2. To make known to others; express publicly: aired my complaints. See Synonyms at voice.3. To broadcast on television or radio: “The ad was submitted to CBS … which accepted and aired it” (New York).v.intr. To be broadcast on television or radio: “tidbits that will air on tonight’s 6 o’clock news” (Terry Ann Knopf).adj.1. Of or relating to the air or the movement of air: an air tube.2. Existing or living in the air; aerial.3. Powered by compressed air: an air horn.4. Containing or inflated by air.5. Of or relating to aircraft or aeronautics.6. Of or relating to the broadcast or transmission of radio or television signals.7. Imaginary or unreal: “The guy had just hit it big … after ten years of eating air sandwiches” (Jonathan Kellerman).Idioms: air one out Football To throw a long pass. in the air Abroad; prevalent: Excitement was in the air. up in the air Not yet decided; uncertain.[Partly from Middle English air, gas, atmosphere (from Old French, from Latin ??r, from Greek; see wer- in Indo-European roots) and partly from French air, nature, quality, place of origin (from Latin ager, place, field; see agriculture, and Latin ?rea, open space, threshing floor; see area). N., sense 8, from French air, tune, from Italian aria; see aria.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.air (??) n1. (Elements & Compounds) the mixture of gases that forms the earth’s atmosphere. At sea level dry air has a density of 1.226 kilograms per cubic metre and consists of 78.08 per cent nitrogen, 20.95 per cent oxygen, 0.93 per cent argon, 0.03 per cent carbon dioxide, with smaller quantities of ozone and inert gases; water vapour varies between 0 and 4 per cent and in industrial areas sulphur gases may be present as pollutants2. the space above and around the earth; sky. 3. breeze; slight wind4. public expression; utterance: to give air to one’s complaints. 5. a distinctive quality: an air of mystery. 6. a person’s distinctive appearance, manner, or bearing7. (Classical Music) music a. a simple tune for either vocal or instrumental performanceb. another word for aria8. transportation in aircraft (esp in the phrase by air)9. an archaic word for breath1, breath2, breath310. (Individual Sports, other than specified) informal Austral the height gained when getting airborne in surfing, snowboarding, etc11. clear the air to rid a situation of tension or discord by settling misunderstandings, etc12. give someone the air slang to reject or dismiss someone13. in the air a. in circulation; currentb. in the process of being decided; unsettled14. into thin air leaving no trace behind15. (Broadcasting) off the air not in the act of broadcasting or being broadcast on radio or television16. (Broadcasting) on the air in the act of broadcasting or being broadcast on radio or television17. out of thin air from thin air suddenly and unexpectedly18. take the air to go out of doors, as for a short walk or ride19. up in the air a. uncertainb. informal agitated or excited20. walk on air to feel elated or exhilarated21. (Astrology) (modifier) astrology of or relating to a group of three signs of the zodiac, Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Compare earth10, fire24, water12vb22. to expose or be exposed to the air so as to cool or freshen; ventilate: to air a room. 23. to expose or be exposed to warm or heated air so as to dry: to air linen. 24. (tr) to make known publicly; display; publicize: to air one’s opinions. 25. (Broadcasting) (intr) (of a television or radio programme) to be broadcast[C13: via Old French and Latin from Greek a?r the lower atmosphere]AIR abbreviation for (Broadcasting) All India Radio Aïr (?????) n (Placename) a mountainous region of N central Niger, in the Sahara, rising to 1500 m (5000 ft): a former native kingdom. Area: about 77 700 sq km (30 000 sq miles). Also called: Azbine or Asben Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014air (??r) n. 1. a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and minute amounts of other gases that surrounds the earth and forms its atmosphere. 2. a stir in the atmosphere; a light breeze. 3. overhead space; sky. 4. circulation; publication; publicity: to give air to one’s theories. 5. general character or appearance; aura: an air of mystery about him. 6. airs, affected or unnatural manner; assumed haughtiness. 7. a. a tune; melody. b. an Elizabethan accompanied song. 8. aircraft as a means of transportation: to ship by air. 9. the medium through which radio waves are transmitted. 10. Informal. air conditioning or an air-conditioning system. 11. Archaic. breath. v.t. 12. to expose to the air; ventilate (often fol. by out). 13. to bring to public notice; display: to air one’s opinions. 14. to broadcast or televise. v.i. 15. to be exposed to the open air (often fol. by out): Let the room air out. 16. to be broadcast or televised. adj. 17. operating by means of air pressure or by acting upon air: an air drill; an air pump. 18. of or pertaining to aircraft or to aviation. 19. taking place in the air; aerial. 20. imaginary; imitated; mimicked (used before the name of a musical instrument): to play the air guitar. Idioms: 1. clear the air, to eliminate misunderstandings. 2. give someone the air, to reject someone, as a lover. 3. in the air, in circulation; current: an interesting rumor in the air. 4. into thin air, so as to disappear completely. 5. off the air, not broadcasting or being broadcast. 6. on the air, broadcasting or being broadcast. 7. up in the air, not decided; unsettled. 8. walk or tread on air, to feel elated. [1150?1200; Middle English eir