air quotes
plural noun
: a gesture made by raising and flexing the index and middle fingers of both hands that is used to call attention to a spoken word or expression
Examples of air quotes in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Audrey’s had a child in ‘later in life’ [makes air quotes].
—
L'oréal Blackett, refinery29.com, 8 Jan. 2024
But computers aren’t dogs, data isn’t kibble, and that previous sentence has way too many air quotes.
—John Pavlus, Quanta Magazine, 8 July 2024
This punchline was so air quotes appalling that gay viewers could enjoy it without having to fret that straight viewers might get the wrong idea about us.
—Mark Harris, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2023
Usually people put intelligence in air quotes.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 7 Sep. 2012
See all Example Sentences for air quotes 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
L'oréal Blackett, refinery29.com, 8 Jan. 2024
But computers aren’t dogs, data isn’t kibble, and that previous sentence has way too many air quotes.
—John Pavlus, Quanta Magazine, 8 July 2024
This punchline was so air quotes appalling that gay viewers could enjoy it without having to fret that straight viewers might get the wrong idea about us.
—Mark Harris, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2023
Usually people put intelligence in air quotes.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 7 Sep. 2012
See all Example Sentences for air quotes
Dictionary Entries Near air quotes
Cite this Entry
“Air quotes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/air%20quotes. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share