air

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noun

Definition of AIR

1

a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect <played a lively air on his fiddle>

Synonyms air, lay, song, strain, tune, warble

Related Words descant (also discant); cadence, measure, meter, rhythm; ballad, ditty, hymn, lyric, madrigal

2

a slight or gentle movement of air <we sailed into the bay on a light air and just in time to enjoy a spectacular sunset>

Synonyms air, breath, puff, waft, zephyr

Related Words current, draft, whiff; sea breeze; blast, blow, flurry, gale, headwind, northeaster, norther, northwester, southeaster, southwester, tailwind, westerly, wind; squall, tempest, tornado, windstorm; airflow

Near Antonyms calm

3

a special quality or impression associated with something <Naomi's the only person I know who can wear old jeans and a T-shirt with an air of elegance>

Synonyms air, ambience (or ambiance), aroma, atmosphere, climate, flavor, halo, karma, mood, nimbus, note, odor, patina, smell, temper, vibration(s)

Related Words aureole (or aureola), mystique, romance; genius loci; feel, feeling, sensation, sense, spirit; attribute, character, characteristic, image, mark, notion, peculiarity, picture, property, trait; color, illusion, overtone, semblance, suggestion, tone

4

airs pl  a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive <ever since she joined the country club she's been putting on airs of being too “high society” for us ordinary folks>

Synonyms act, airs, charade, disguise, facade (also façade), front, guise, playacting, pose, pretense (or pretence), put-on, semblance, show

Related Words impersonation, performance, portrayal; image, persona; appearance, color, gloss; camouflage, cloak; affectation, deceit, deception, dissembling, dissimulation, double-dealing, duplicity, fakery, fraud, guile; betrayal, double cross, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, infidelity, perfidy, treachery, treason, unfaithfulness; excuse, pretext

Near Antonyms bluntness, candidness, candor, directness, forthrightness, frankness, openheartedness, outspokenness, plainspokenness, sincerity, straightforwardness; artlessness, genuineness, naïveté (also naivete or naiveté)