aura

noun

ˈȯr-ə How to pronounce aura (audio)
Definition of auranext
1
as in atmosphere
a special quality or impression associated with something the monastery perched high on a mountaintop had an aura of unreality and mystery about it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in energy
a spiritual force that is held to emanate from or give animation to living beings alternative medical treatments that rely on the practitioner's ability to detect a patient's aura

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of aura Like the ever-elusive concept of personal style, glamour is often intangible, innate, even aura-based. — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 15 July 2026 The aura of the arena, the cheers from her friends and family. — Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 The aura radiating from him as a former Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 14 July 2026 The prevailing motifs include Anglo-American boarding schools and college campuses, accoutrements with a romantic aura (billowing sleeves, melting candles), and analog artifacts (old compasses, monocles). — Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for aura
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aura
  1. atmosphere
  2. energy
  3. smell
  4. spirit
  5. aroma
  6. air
  7. ambience
  8. sense
Noun
  • The new South Field Club, scheduled to debut before UCLA's 2026 football season, will provide premium hospitality for approximately 1,000 guests while creating a dramatic player entrance that enhances both recruiting and game-day atmosphere.
    — Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • There is no set temperature at which one forms, Giannaros said; what is needed is the kind of atmosphere that breeds dry thunderstorms — very hot, very dry air near the ground, with cooler and moister air above it.
    — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
Definition of atmosphere
Noun
  • These include rising bond yields, recent hawkish speeches, three July dissents from Fed policymakers and energy pricing remaining generally elevated.
    — Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Over the first half of the year, the British energy major saw its profits balloon 70% compared with the year before.
    — Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of energy
Noun
  • The real surprise, though, came when the team took a close look at what the flies were doing when there was no smell at all to guide them.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The smell of rotten eggs permeates communities where large piles of decaying sargassum emit ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 July 2026
Definition of smell
Noun
  • There are more than 400 original contemporary artworks throughout Ibiza Gran Hotel, with many created by Mediterranean artists whose work reflects the culture and spirit of the region.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
  • The spirit of this new category is to shine a dedicated spotlight on these important artists.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026
Definition of spirit
Noun
  • Its distinct warm, smoky, and toasted aromas, resulting from the roasting process, offer a unique flavor profile with less bitterness.
    — Carissa Chesanek, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Some residents expressed concerns about pollution, the traffic congestion, the dangers of errant drivers around kids and the lingering aroma of frying food.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of aroma
Noun
  • After Ospreay saved Omega, Omega stuck Ospreay with a One Winged Angel and AEW Redemption mercifully went off the air.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Wheelie contests, one-on-one races and freestyle trick events filled the air with engine revs and track dirt as the drivers precariously balanced, drifted and jumped the 10,000 pound vehicles.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of air
Noun
  • After a day of sampling Bayonne ham and cooling off in the Atlantic, return to the rental’s soft mattresses and cozy ambience.
    — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 31 July 2026
  • The idea is to share several different plates, listen to the music — an izakaya’s ambiance is much different than that of an upscale omakase restaurant — and hang out with your friends without a lot of fuss.
    — Connie Ogle July 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Definition of ambience
Noun
  • In that sense, the conditions included in the Garnacho deal must have a realistic possibility of not occurring in order for the deal to be recorded, at least initially, as a loan.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • With real couples, the sense of love and familiarity was already present.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of sense

Browse Nearby Words

au pairs
aura
aural
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aura.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aura. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on aura

Nglish: Translation of aura for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aura

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All