air quotes
plural noun
: a gesture made by raising and flexing the index and middle fingers of both hands that is used to call attention to a spoken word or expression
Examples of air quotes in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Though the new Broadway artwork does away with them, there’s a contemptuous little pair of air quotes in the show’s name as written.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
The entire cast — which is composed mostly of comedians — is acting in air quotes here, delivering the most awards-hungry version of every line reading.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
But computers aren’t dogs, data isn’t kibble, and that previous sentence has way too many air quotes.
—John Pavlus, Quanta Magazine, 8 July 2024
Audrey’s had a child in ‘later in life’ [makes air quotes].
—L'oréal Blackett, refinery29.com, 8 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for air quotes
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Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
The entire cast — which is composed mostly of comedians — is acting in air quotes here, delivering the most awards-hungry version of every line reading.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
But computers aren’t dogs, data isn’t kibble, and that previous sentence has way too many air quotes.
—John Pavlus, Quanta Magazine, 8 July 2024
Audrey’s had a child in ‘later in life’ [makes air quotes].
—L'oréal Blackett, refinery29.com, 8 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for air quotes
Cite this Entry
“Air quotes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/air%20quotes. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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