airborn

Airborn is a term that appears in English primarily as a proper name or as a variant spelling. In general use, the standard spelling is airborne, meaning carried by air or existing in the air. Airborn is uncommon in everyday writing and often arises in titles, brand names, or stylistic spellings.

The best-known literary use is the 2004 young adult novel Airborn by Canadian author Kenneth Oppel. Set in a world of airships, it follows a teenage crew member named Matt Cruse as he becomes involved in an adventure that blends exploration, mystery, and danger aboard an airship society. Airborn is the first book in Oppel's Airborn trilogy, followed by Skybreaker and Starclimber. The novel received critical acclaim and won the Governor General's Award for Children's Literature in 2005.

In usage notes, airborn is generally regarded as a nonstandard spelling in standard prose. It may appear in titles or as a stylistic variant, but writers and editors typically use airborne for ordinary descriptive purposes. When quoting or reproducing a specific name, franchise, or branded title, airborn may be appropriate if it is the official designation of that work or product.