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

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."

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."

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."

(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 notes

In 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.

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Common pairings

an aura of mystery big aura lose aura aura points

Word forms

aurae plural, auræ plural, auras plural, Auras plural

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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.

Origin: Latin · First attested 2024

Class of 2024 aura joined the language around 2024.

Luigi

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Synonyms

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atmosphere ambiance vibe presence air glow

Related words

music line air light presence climate sky existence

Rhymes for aura

Jura sura Yura Laura Maura shura Miura sakura Ashura kimura Tamura Nomura

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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.

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