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
The entire cast — which is composed mostly of comedians — is acting in air quotes here, delivering the most awards-hungry version of every line reading.
—
Peter Debruge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
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
Audrey’s had a child in ‘later in life’ [makes air quotes].
—L'oréal Blackett, refinery29.com, 8 Jan. 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
See All Example Sentences for air quotes
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Peter Debruge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
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
Audrey’s had a child in ‘later in life’ [makes air quotes].
—L'oréal Blackett, refinery29.com, 8 Jan. 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
See All Example Sentences for air quotes
Cite this Entry
“Air quotes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/air%20quotes. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share