An airfoil is a shaped part of an aircrafta vehicle designed to fly through the sky or another moving body that interacts with air to create liftan upward force that keeps something flying or help control motion. In everyday usage, it is most often discussed in aviation and aerodynamicsthe study of how air moves around objects and affects them.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈer.fɔɪl/
Easy pronunciation: AIR-foyl (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable: AIR-foil.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Airfoil Meaning
a part shaped to make air push up on a plane or help control it
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a shaped device or surface that produces lift or helps control an aircraft as it moves through air
Example: The wing’s airfoil design helps the plane stay in the air efficiently.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- aerofoil — Same term in British spelling; a direct synonym for the same aviation sense.
- control surface — Works when the word is used for a part that helps control flight, though it is narrower than airfoil.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Airfoil Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- aerofoil
- control surface
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes confuse airfoil with airplane wing, but an airfoil is the shaped section or device that affects airflow, not always the whole wing.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does airfoil mean?
An airfoil is a shaped part that interacts with air to create lift or help control an aircraft.
What is the synonym of airfoil?
Aerofoil is the closest direct synonym. Control surface can work in some aviation contexts, but it is more specific.
Is airfoil the same as wing?
Not exactly. A wing may contain an airfoil shape, but airfoil usually refers to the aerodynamic shape or section rather than the whole wing.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.