# air out

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/air-out
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to let fresh air into a room or onto clothes to get rid of bad smells. You do this by opening windows or hanging things outside.

For teachers: To expose a space or object to fresh air in order to eliminate odours or dampness. Transitive; the object can be placed between the verb and the particle.

## Examples

- I need to air out the bedroom.
- After the party, we opened all the windows to air out the living room and remove the smell of smoke.
- The conservators recommended that the antique textiles be aired out in a climate-controlled environment to prevent the accumulation of volatile organic compounds.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used with rooms, garments, or bedding to remove stale smells.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'ventilate', which is more technical; 'air out' is the standard phrasal verb for domestic contexts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.