aura

¹

[ awr-uh ]

noun

, plural au·ras au·rae [awr, -ee].

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.

Aura

²

[ awr-uh ]

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.

aura

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of aura¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of aura¹

C18: via Latin from Greek: breeze

Example Sentences

Federer - known for his effortless movement, his elegant one-handed backhand and calm aura - could not do the same to Nadal at his favoured Slam.

From BBC

But Hernández’s boyfriend aura hits its peak in the most recent "Weekend Update" sketch, “The Couple You Can’t Believe Are Together.”

From Salon

In modern capitalist societies, an occupation associated with high income and the symbols that money can buy, like a suburban single-family home or an annual summer vacation, creates an aura of respectability and even virtue.

From Salon

Ditto the indictment of universal war culture “In Any Tongue,” the song’s animated accompaniment heartbreaking, Gilmour’s tasteful use of his tremolo bar giving the song an aura both haunted and haunting.

From Los Angeles Times

The hallowed New York Yankees stood frozen in their dugout, stripped of their aura and bludgeoned at their essence, painfully demolished pinstripe by pinstripe.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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