Words / B2

AIRR-ee-uh-l/ˈeəriəl/

Aerial means from the air: aerial photography; an aerial view. As a noun in British English, a metal rod that receives radio or TV signals (US antenna). Airborne is of things carried in the air; overhead is everyday. Date the aerial photograph in the enquiry, then the scale. Mix-up: aerial vs area; Ariel; do not write aerial for a ground-level snap labelled “from above” with no aircraft or drone in the source.

Meaning

From the air; as a noun in British English, a metal rod that receives radio or TV signals.

Examples

• “Date the aerial photograph in the enquiry, then the scale; a TV aerial on the site plan still needs the height.”
• “Date the aerial photograph in the enquiry, then the scale, not a holiday snap.”
• “A TV aerial on the site plan still needs the height in metres, which is the British noun sense.”

Good to know

aerial photography / view / survey; a TV / radio aerial (UK noun). US twin for the noun: antenna. Trap: area / Ariel. Geography, media, and DT. From the air, or a UK signal rod — date the photo or quote the height.

Near in meaning

airborne, overhead, antenna

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