noun
Uncommon
aura
AW-ruh
Aura (noun) means a distinctive feeling or atmosphere that seems to surround a person or place. Example: “The old cathedral had an aura of calm and history.”
noun
1
A distinctive feeling or atmosphere that seems to surround a person or place.
"The old cathedral had an aura of calm and history."
"There was an aura of tension in the room before the announcement."
2
In some belief systems, an invisible glow or energy field said to surround a living being.
"The healer claimed she could see the colours of a person's aura."
3
A warning sensation, such as flashing lights or a strange smell, that some people feel just before a migraine or seizure.
"She knew a migraine was coming because of the aura of flickering light in her vision."
4
(slang) A person's charisma, presence, or overall vibe.
"He walked into the interview with total aura — calm and confident."
How to use aura
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA feeling or energy that seems to surround someone or something — from spiritual glows to modern slang for "vibe."
Memory tip
If someone says "he has aura" today, they mean he has presence or swagger — not literally a glowing light.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
an aura of mystery
big aura
lose aura
aura points
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Word forms
- Plural
- aurae, auræ, auras
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old cathedral had an _____ of calm and history.
Etymology
From Latin aura ("breeze, breath of air"), from Greek aúra. The slang "vibe/charisma" meaning is very recent, spreading through TikTok around 2024.
Related words
Rhymes for aura
See all rhymes for aura →Frequently asked questions
What does “aura” mean?
The word “aura” means a distinctive feeling or atmosphere that seems to surround a person or place. In plain terms, a feeling or energy that seems to surround someone or something — from spiritual glows to modern slang for "vibe.".
How do you pronounce “aura”?
“Aura” is pronounced AW-ruh (/ˈoɹ.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “aura” in a sentence?
Here is “aura” used in a sentence: “The old cathedral had an aura of calm and history.”
What part of speech is “aura”?
“Aura” is a noun.
Where does the word “aura” come from?
The word “aura” dates back to around 2024 and comes from Latin. From Latin aura ("breeze, breath of air"), from Greek aúra. The slang "vibe/charisma" meaning is very recent, spreading through TikTok around 2024.
Is “aura” a common word?
“Aura” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “aura” have?
“Aura” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a distinctive feeling or atmosphere that seems to surround a person or place.
