4 VERB If you aim to do something, you decide or want to do it. [AM , INFORMAL ] □ [V to-inf] Are you aiming to visit the gardens?
5 VERB [usu passive] If your actions or remarks are aimed at a particular person or group, you intend that the person or group should notice them and be influenced by them. □ [be V -ed + at ] The stark message was aimed at the heads of some of Britain's biggest banks. □ [V -ed] Advertising aimed at children should be curbed.
6 VERB If you aim a weapon or object at something or someone, you point it towards them before firing or throwing it. □ [V n + at ] He was aiming the rifle at Wade. □ [V -ed] …a missile aimed at the arms factory. □ [V + at ] I didn't know I was supposed to aim at the same spot all the time. [Also V ]
7 N‑SING [oft poss N ] Your aim is your skill or action in pointing a weapon or other object at its target. □ He stood with the gun in his right hand and his left hand steadying his aim.
8 VERB If you aim a kick or punch at someone, you try to kick or punch them. □ [V n prep/adv] They aimed kicks at his shins. [Also V n]
9 PHRASE When you take aim , you point a weapon or object at someone or something, before firing or throwing it. □ She had spotted a man with a shotgun taking aim.
10 PHRASE If you take aim at someone or something, you criticize them strongly. [AM ] □ Republican strategists are taking particular aim at Democratic senators.
aim|less /e I mləs/ ADJ A person or activity that is aimless has no clear purpose or plan. □ After several hours of aimless searching they were getting low on fuel. ● aim|less|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ I wandered around aimlessly.
ain't /e I nt/ People sometimes use ain't instead of 'am not', 'aren't', 'isn't', 'haven't', and 'hasn't'. Some people consider this use to be incorrect. [DIALECT , SPOKEN ] □ Well, it's obvious, ain't it?
air ◆◆◆ /eə r / (airs , airing , aired )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Air is the mixture of gases which forms the Earth's atmosphere and which we breathe. □ Draughts help to circulate air. □ Keith opened the window and leaned out into the cold air. □ …water and air pollutants.
2 N‑SING The air is the space around things or above the ground. □ Government troops broke up the protest by firing their guns in the air.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n, by N ] Air is used to refer to travel in aircraft. □ Air travel will continue to grow at about 6% per year. □ Casualties had to be brought to hospital by air.
4 N‑SING If you say that someone or something has a particular air , you mean that they give this general impression. □ [+ of ] Jennifer regarded him with an air of amusement.
5 N‑PLURAL If you say that someone is putting on airs or giving themselves airs , you are criticizing them for behaving as if they are better than other people. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ We're poor and we never put on airs.
6 VERB If a broadcasting company airs a television or radio programme, they show it on television or broadcast it on the radio. [mainly AM ] □ [V n] Tonight PBS will air a documentary called 'Democracy In Action'. ● air|ing N‑SING □ [+ of ] …the airing of offensive material.
7 VERB If you air your opinions, you make them known to people. □ [be V -ed] The whole issue was thoroughly aired at the meeting.
8 VERB If you air a room or building, you let fresh air into it. □ [V n] One day a week her mother systematically cleaned and aired each room.
9 VERB If you air clothing or bedding, you put it somewhere warm to make sure that it is completely dry.
10 PHRASE If you do something to clear the air , you do it in order to resolve any problems or disagreements that there might be. □ …an inquiry just to clear the air and settle the facts of the case.
11 PHRASE If something is in the air it is felt to be present, but it is not talked about. □ There was great excitement in the air.
12 PHRASE If someone is on the air , they are broadcasting on radio or television. If a programme is on the air , it is being broadcast on radio or television. If it is off the air , it is not being broadcast. □ She is going on the air as presenter of a new show. □ This message did not reach me until after the programme went off the air.
13 PHRASE If someone or something disappears into thin air , they disappear completely. If someone or something appears out of thin air , they appear suddenly and mysteriously. □ He had materialized out of thin air; I had not seen or heard him coming.
14 PHRASE If you say that a decision or a situation is up in the air , you mean that it has not yet been completely settled or planned. □ With his contract expiring during the summer, the defender's future is up in the air.
15 PHRASE If you say that you are walking on air or floating on air , you mean that you feel extremely happy about something. □ As soon as I know I'm in the team it's like I'm walking on air.
ai r a m|bu|lance (air ambulances ) N‑COUNT [oft by N ] An air ambulance is a helicopter or plane that is used for taking people to hospital.
air|bag /eə r bæg/ (airbags ) also air bag N‑COUNT An airbag is a safety device in a car which automatically fills with air if the car crashes, and is designed to protect the people in the car when they are thrown forward in the crash.