French Conversation · Level 8
90 words
French word
air
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛʁ/
Meaning
- masculine nounair
Example
L'air est frais ce matin.
The air is cool this morning.
More examples
Il faut aérer la chambre pour renouveler l'air.
The room needs to be aired out to refresh the air.
Core concept
An intangible quality that can fill a space, show in a person's appearance, or be carried by a melody.
Common phrases
prendre l'air
go out for some fresh air
la qualité de l'air
air quality
un souffle d'air
a breath of air
Similar words
ambiance: The welcoming or uncomfortable feeling in a place or gathering.
atmosphère: The mood or feeling that pervades a place or situation.
apparence: The way something looks from the outside.
Definition in French
Apparence, manière dont une personne ou une chose paraît aux autres.
Word origin
The French noun air continues Latin aer from Greek aēr; its original sense was atmospheric air, with later extensions to appearance and a musical tune.
Usage tips
- In avoir l'air + adjective, the phrase means 'seem', and the adjective normally agrees with a person: Elle a l'air fatiguée.
Other meanings
- appearancenoun
- tunenoun
Related words
- aérerair outverb
- aérationventilationnoun
- aéréwell-ventilatedadjective