The expression "airs" has been used historically to criticize those who assume an exaggerated sense of importance or show off their status in a pretentious manner. Over time, the word has come to encompass both literal and figurative meanings, from the literal movement of air to the social performance of superiority. In modern use, it often refers to attitudes of superiority or self-importance in social interactions, especially when exaggerated or out of place.
No exact match translations found for 'Airs' in tamil.
Word 'Airs' in Other Languages
- Airs in Assamese অসমীয়া
- Airs in Bengali বাংলা
- Airs in Bodo बड़ो
- Airs in Dogri डोगरी
- Airs in English
- Airs in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- Airs in Hindi हिन्दी
- Airs in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- Airs in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- Airs in Konkani कोंकणी
- Airs in Maithili মৈথিলী
- Airs in Malayalam മലയാളം
- Airs in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- Airs in Marathi मराठी
- Airs in Nepali नेपाली
- Airs in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- Airs in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- Airs in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- Airs in Santali
- Airs in Sindhi سنڌي
- Airs in Tamil தமிழ்
- Airs in Telugu తెలుగు
- Airs in Urdu اُردُو
Airs Deals on Amazon
Airs
Part of Speech
Plural noun (often used as singular in context)
Pronunciation
/ɛərz/
Definitions
- Noun: The manner or style of a person’s behavior, particularly when it is pretentious or affected. Example: "He put on airs at the party."
- Noun: A flow of air or wind, especially in a light or gentle manner. Example: "The cool airs of the evening were refreshing."
- Verb: To assume a pretentious manner or pose. Example: "She airs her grievances publicly."
Usage Examples
- He walked into the room with airs of superiority, making everyone uncomfortable.
- The gentle airs of the countryside provided a soothing atmosphere during their walk.
- After winning the award, she began to air her opinions on every subject.
Etymology
The term "airs" comes from the Middle English "air," derived from the Old French "air," meaning "atmosphere" or "appearance," which comes from the Latin "aer." The figurative use referring to an affected or pretentious demeanor first appeared in the 17th century.
Synonyms
- Attitude
- Posture
- Mannerism
- Self-importance
- Pretense
Antonyms
- Modesty
- Sincerity
- Humility
- Honesty
- Openness
Translations
Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
---|---|---|
Spanish | Actitud afectada | /aktitud afektada/ |
French | Attitude prétentieuse | /atityd pʁetɑ̃sjøz/ |
German | Verstellte Haltung | /fɛɐ̯ˈʃtɛltə ˈhaltʊŋ/ |
Chinese | 做作的态度 (zuòzuò de tàidù) | /tswɔ˥˥ tswɔ˥ de˙ tʰaɪ˥˥ tu˥/ |
Hindi | अहंकार (Ahamkār) | /əhəmˈkɑːr/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- American English: /ɛərz/
- British English: /ɛərz/
- Australian English: /ɛəz/
Historical Usage
The phrase "putting on airs" became common in the 17th century to describe someone who was acting in an affected or pretentious manner, usually to show superiority. It is linked to social class distinctions and has remained in use in various forms to describe people who display an inflated sense of importance.
Cultural Nuances
In different cultures, the concept of "airs" can carry various implications. In some cultures, displaying airs might be seen as a way of asserting social status, while in others, it may be frowned upon as arrogance or pride. The term is often used humorously to critique individuals who act overly self-important.