air quotes: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, spoken, occasionally written (in descriptions of speech).
Quick answer
What does “air quotes” mean?
A visual gesture made by raising both hands and curling the index and middle fingers to imitate quotation marks in the air while speaking, used to indicate irony, sarcasm, or distance from a term being used.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A visual gesture made by raising both hands and curling the index and middle fingers to imitate quotation marks in the air while speaking, used to indicate irony, sarcasm, or distance from a term being used.
The physical act described above; figuratively, the use of any spoken or written device to signal that a word or phrase is being used ironically, euphemistically, or not in its literal sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term and gesture are understood and used in both varieties. The term may be slightly more lexicalised and frequent in American English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it often signals scepticism, irony, or mockery. Can be seen as a slightly clichéd or performative gesture.
Frequency
Common in informal spoken English in both regions. More likely to appear in media commentary and descriptive writing in the US.
Grammar
How to Use “air quotes” in a Sentence
[Subject] does/makes air quotes (when saying X)."X" [said] with air quotes.The phrase was wrapped in air quotes.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “air quotes” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He air-quoted the word 'brilliant' to show his disdain.
- She kept air-quoting 'efficiency savings' throughout the presentation.
American English
- He air-quoted 'best practices' during the meeting.
- Don't air-quote me when I say 'team player'.
adverb
British English
- He said it air-quotingly, his fingers twitching.
- She described the plan, speaking air-quote.
American English
- 'Perfect,' he said, air-quotingly.
- He answered air-quote, 'Sure, I believe you.'
adjective
British English
- She gave an air-quote shrug when mentioning the 'priority'.
- His entire testimony had an air-quote quality.
American English
- It was an air-quote 'apology' at best.
- He has an air-quote attitude about the rules.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in informal meetings to mock jargon or unrealistic targets (e.g., 'Our "synergy" goals').
Academic
Virtually never used in formal writing; may appear in linguistics, sociology, or media studies when describing communication acts.
Everyday
Common in spoken, informal communication to express doubt, irony, or sarcasm about a term.
Technical
Used in film/theatre scripts, dialogue transcription, and communication studies to describe a non-verbal cue.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “air quotes”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “air quotes”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “air quotes”
- Using 'air quotes' to mean actual spoken quotes (like a quotation).
- Writing *air-quotes* as a hyphenated single noun (though this variant exists, the open form is standard).
- Confusing it with simply making a quoting gesture without the specific ironic connotation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the term itself is informal. In formal writing, you would describe the concept (e.g., 'used ironically' or 'so-called') rather than mentioning the gesture.
Yes, informally, 'to air-quote' (often hyphenated) is used, as in 'He air-quoted the word 'expert'.'
Not always pure sarcasm. They can also indicate euphemism, a term being borrowed from someone else, or that the speaker feels the term is clichéd or inadequate.
Scare quotes are the written quotation marks used to express doubt or irony (e.g., his 'expert' opinion). Air quotes are the physical, gestural version of scare quotes used in speech.
A visual gesture made by raising both hands and curling the index and middle fingers to imitate quotation marks in the air while speaking, used to indicate irony, sarcasm, or distance from a term being used.
Air quotes: in British English it is pronounced /ˈeə ˌkwəʊts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɛr ˌkwoʊts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to put something in air quotes”
- “said with air quotes”
- “the air quotes were almost audible”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone talking about the 'fresh' sushi while making claw marks in the AIR, QUOTING its dubious quality.
Conceptual Metaphor
PUNCTUATION IS A GESTURE / VISUAL MARKING IS MENTAL DISTANCE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of air quotes?