Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [air]
- /ɛər/
- /eər/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [air]
- /ɛər/
Definitions of airs word
- noun plural airs affected manners intended to impress others (esp in the phrases give oneself airs, put on airs) 3
- noun airs a region in N Niger, in the Sahara: low massif and oases. About 30,000 sq. mi. (77,700 sq. km). 1
- verb with object airs to expose to the air; give access to the open air; ventilate (often followed by out): We air the bedrooms every day. 1
- verb with object airs to expose ostentatiously; bring to public notice; display: to air one's opinions; to air one's theories. 1
- verb with object airs to broadcast or televise. 1
- verb without object airs to be exposed to the open air (often followed by out): Open the window and let the room air out. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of airs
First appearance:
before 1150 One of the 7% oldest English words
1150-1200; Middle English eir < Old French air < Latin āēr- (accusative āerem) < Greek āer- (stem of āḗr) the lower atmosphere; conflated with (especially for defs 4, 5) French air, Old French aire nature, character < Latin ager field (cf. acre) and ārea threshing floor, clearing, area; and with (for def 7) French air < Italian aria aria
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Airs
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
airs popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 99% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
airs usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for airs
noun airs
- haughtiness — disdainfully proud; snobbish; scornfully arrogant; supercilious: haughty aristocrats; a haughty salesclerk.
- show — to cause or allow to be seen; exhibit; display.
- pose — a movement in which the dancer steps, in any desired position, from one foot to the other with a straight knee onto the flat foot, demi-pointe, or pointe.
- mannerism — a habitual or characteristic manner, mode, or way of doing something; distinctive quality or style, as in behavior or speech: He has an annoying mannerism of tapping his fingers while he talks. They copied his literary mannerisms but always lacked his ebullience.
- ostentation — pretentious or conspicuous show, as of wealth or importance; display intended to impress others.
Antonyms for airs
noun airs
- humility — the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc.
- meekness — humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others.
- reality — the state or quality of being real.
- honesty — the quality or fact of being honest; uprightness and fairness.
- personality — the visible aspect of one's character as it impresses others: He has a pleasing personality.