aura

¹ American  

[awr-uh] / ˈɔr ə /

noun

plural

auras, aurae

1. a distinctive and pervasive quality or character; air; atmosphere.

   an aura of respectability;

   an aura of friendliness.

2. a subtly pervasive quality or atmosphere seen as emanating from a person, place, or thing.

3. Pathology. a sensation, as of lights or a current of warm or cold air, preceding an attack of migraine or epilepsy.

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Aura ² American  

[awr-uh] / ˈɔr ə /

noun

Classical Mythology.

1. a companion of Artemis who bore twins to Dionysus. Zeus changed her into a spring because, in a fit of madness, she had killed one of her children.

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aura British  

/ ˈɔːrə /

noun

1. a distinctive air or quality considered to be characteristic of a person or thing

2. any invisible emanation, such as a scent or odour

3. pathol strange sensations, such as noises in the ears or flashes of light, that immediately precede an attack, esp of epilepsy

4. (in parapsychology) an invisible emanation produced by and surrounding a person or object: alleged to be discernible by individuals of supernormal sensibility

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Etymology

Origin of aura

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin, from Greek: “breath (of air)”

Example Sentences

I think just her fearlessness, her professionalism, her coolness, her aura.

From Los Angeles Times

He had an aura, charisma about him and how he played the game.

From BBC

With its bicycle rides, family meals and general aura of awakening, “Miroirs No. 3” unfolds with cautious hope, if only because we know a reckoning is coming and what’s unsaid will have to be addressed.

From Los Angeles Times

“He has this crazy aura and energy about him,” said Byron.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite their aura of permanence, Oscar statuettes have occasionally vanished over the years.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ambience
• aspect
• atmosphere
• feeling
• mood
• quality
• scent
• semblance
• tone