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aura

noun
au·​ra | \ ˈȯr-ə How to pronounce aura (audio) \

Definition of aura

1a : a distinctive atmosphere surrounding a given source The place had an aura of mystery.
b : a subtle sensory stimulus (such as an aroma)
2 medical : a subjective (see subjective entry 1 sense 4b) sensation (as of voices, colored lights, or crawling and numbness) experienced at the onset of a neurological condition and especially a migraine or epileptic seizure
3 : an energy field that is held to emanate from a living being
4 : a luminous radiation : nimbus
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about aura

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Examples of aura in a Sentence

the monastery perched high on a mountaintop had an aura of unreality and mystery about it alternative medical treatments that rely on the practitioner's ability to detect a patient's aura

Recent Examples on the Web

 Although Williamson may be famed for her wacky sound bites and psychedelic wine-mom aura, her rise indicates a larger truth. — Kayla Bartsch, National Review, "Marianne Williamson Offers Priestly Wisdom for a Nation Adrift — Seriously," 12 Aug. 2019 The New Beetle — a completely retro version build on a modified Golf platform — resurrected some of the old Beetle’s cute, unconventional aura in 1998 under CEO Ferdinand Piech, Ferdinand Porsche’s grandson. — Time, "From Nazis to Hippies: End of the Road for Volkswagen Beetle," 10 July 2019 The New Beetle — a completely retro version build on a modified Golf platform — resurrected some of the old Beetle's cute, unconventional aura in 1998 under CEO Ferdinand Piech, Ferdinand Porsche's grandson. — David Mchugh, Anchorage Daily News, "From Nazis to hippies: End of the road for Volkswagen Beetle," 9 July 2019 Looking for a way to match the cool girl aura of the streets, with the comfort and fit of a great boutique bra? — Sophie Kemp, Vogue, "Why Not Wear Your Favorite Lingerie Out and About This Summer?," 14 June 2019 An earth mother with an impenetrable aura of self-containment, she’s been deeply traumatized by her direct involvement in Perry’s death and her inability to share what happened with her husband and daughter. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "The Family Values of Big Little Lies," 7 June 2019 Many people think a migraine headache always comes with aura, which may present as bright spots, flashes, or partial loss of vision. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "Is It a Migraine or a Another Headache? How to Tell the Difference, According to Neurologists," 28 May 2019 There’s no pop-star aura to Hanson at all, which is a good thing in her case. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Best and worst of Summerfest Day 4: In Real Life, Kaleo, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang and more," 30 June 2018 The aura of Spice Girl success was sleepover antics turned career. — New York Times, "The Rise of the Spice Girls Generation," 19 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aura.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of aura

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

History and Etymology for aura

Middle English, from Latin, puff of air, breeze, from Greek; probably akin to Greek aēr air

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More Definitions for aura

aura

noun
How to pronounce aura (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of aura

: a special quality or feeling that seems to come from a person, place, or thing

See the full definition for aura in the English Language Learners Dictionary

aura

noun
au·​ra | \ ˈȯr-ə How to pronounce aura (audio) \

Kids Definition of aura

: a feeling that seems to be given off by a person or thing There is an aura of mystery about the house.

aura

noun
au·​ra | \ ˈȯr-ə How to pronounce aura (audio) \
plural auras also aurae\ -​ē How to pronounce aurae (audio) \

Medical Definition of aura

: a subjective sensation (as of voices or colored lights or crawling and numbness) experienced at the onset of a neurological condition and especially a migraine or epileptic seizure About 20 percent of migraine sufferers experience an aura as the first symptom of an attack. The aura may be a pulsing star of light, or a dance of geometric forms across the visual field, sometimes turning into hallucinations …— Natalie Angier, The New York Times, 14 Sept. 1993 The migraine aura, which consists of episodes of well-defined, transient, focal neurologic dysfunction, develops over the course of more than 4 minutes and usually lasts no more than 60 minutes.— Sid Gilman, The New England Journal of Medicine, 11 June 1992 The aura is due to electrical activity originating from the seizure focus and thus represents the earliest manifestations of a partial seizure. — Gary L. Westbrook, in Principles of Neural Science, 4th edition, 2000

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