in the air

phrase

: being felt or expressed by many people : in wide circulation
There was a sense of anticipation in the air.

Examples of in the air in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Love was in the air Monday as the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers started their big four-game showdown at Wrigley Field. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026 Optimism in the air There was also much optimism about the idea of Los Angeles. — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Colorful leaves on the trees and a certain crispness in the air. — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 Per Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen’s website, the asbestos removal process began in 2021 after a large amount of asbestos was found in the air ducts of the Van der Steur and Bodon buildings. — News Desk, Artforum, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for in the air

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in the air was in 1853

Rhymes for in the air

See All Rhymes for in the air

Browse Nearby Words

in the aggregate
in the air
in the altogether
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In the air.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20air. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All