Colloquial Variant guide

air out

verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To expose to air; to leave open or spread out, as to allow odor or moisture to dissipate.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • If you air out your sleeping bag after you use it, it will smell better the next time you get in.
  • If you air it out after you use it, it will smell better the next time you get in.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To discuss in the open; to address an issue or conflict that has long been avoided.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly

Examples

  • She's been nursing a grievance for a while now. It's time to air it out.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To shoot up a location, particularly inside a building.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly

Qualifier: African-American Vernacular

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To throw passes, especially long and high passes.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: slang

Topics: American-football, ball-games, football, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

expose to cool or cold air so as to cool or freshen

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • air the old winter clothes
  • air out the smoke-filled rooms

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: vent, ventilate, air

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: refresh, freshen

6

verb

Meaning 6

expose to fresh air

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • aerate your old sneakers

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: air, aerate

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: expose

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: aerumi — to expose to air
  • French: aérer — to expose to air
  • Galician: airear — to expose to air
  • Galician: desabafar — to expose to air
  • Polish: przewietrzyć — to expose to air
  • Polish: przewietrzać — to expose to air
  • Spanish: airear — to expose to air
  • Spanish: ventear — to expose to air
  • French: crever l'abcès — to discuss in the open
  • Galician: airear — to discuss in the open