Skip to content
ontologydriven
Sign out

Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

thin air en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • (Australia) audio
  • /ˌθɪn ˈɛə(ɹ)/

Meanings

  1. (figuratively, humorous, idiomatic, uncountable, usually) An unknown location; (by extension) apparent disappearance or nonexistence.
    • Where did you think the exhaust would go? Into thin air?
  2. (uncountable) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see thin, air, (especially, low-density air as a result of high altitude).
    • You'll need to stay mindful of taking breaks, drinking water, and avoiding overexertion up here, because you're dealing with thin air at this altitude.

Relateds

out of thin air · dead air · out of the blue · oxygen mask · into thin air