Airy


open to a free current of fresh air; breezy:
airy rooms.
consisting of or having the character of air; immaterial:
airy phantoms.
light in appearance; thin:
airy garments.
light in manner; sprightly; lively:
airy songs.
light in movement; graceful; delicate:
an airy step.
light as air; unsubstantial; unreal; imaginary:
airy dreams.
visionary; speculative.
performed in the air; aerial.
lofty; high in the air.
putting on airs; affected; snobbish:
an airy debutante posing for society photographers.
Contemporary Examples

For years, the triennial confab has been remarkable mostly for airy oratory by national leaders playing to the crowd back home.
Summit of the Americas in Cartagena Will Be a Minefield for Obama Mac Margolis April 12, 2012

That was the era of airy elegance and feeble clown shows, of yuck-yuck punchlines and toothy performers saying “Gee whiz!”
The Absurdist Genius of Ernie Kovacs Andy Battaglia April 14, 2011

It was this combination of elusive, airy wit, and easy charm—and her passion for me—that was my lifeline.
Mother’s Day 2013: Gloria Steinem, Erica Jong & Writers Thank Their Moms Gloria Steinem, Erica Jong, Fay Weldon, Dalma Heyn, Joyce Maynard May 11, 2013

Like all might-have-beens, this one fades away into airy speculation.
David Frum’s Book Club: The Pursuit of Italy David Frum March 16, 2012

A gorgeous, glistening rendition of “Lost Cause” came next, and the airy Morning Phase standout “Blue Moon” ended the sequence.
Beck’s Musical Time Machine: This Wasn’t a Concert. It was a Spectacular Party. Andrew Romano April 17, 2014

Historical Examples

There is a special trade department at Stepney Causeway, consisting of a show-room and several large and airy stores.
The Quiver, 2/1900 Various

I had climbed up into the airy heights, I had been writing of millionaires.
The Harbor Ernest Poole

Yet I thought I sensed a movement toward me as airy as the flutter of a bird’s wing.
The Thing from the Lake Eleanor M. Ingram

Very few houses have a proper place to keep provisions in; the best substitute is a hanging-safe, suspended in an airy situation.
The Cook and Housekeeper’s Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches, Mary Eaton

The tall Observatory, on its airy steel framework, rises three hundred feet to overlook the wonderful scene.
America, Volume III (of 6) Joel Cook

adjective airier, airiest
abounding in fresh air
spacious or uncluttered
nonchalant; superficial
visionary; fanciful: airy promises, airy plans
of or relating to air
weightless and insubstantial: an airy gossamer
light and graceful in movement
having no material substance: airy spirits
high up in the air; lofty
performed in the air; aerial
noun
Sir George Biddell. 1801–92, British astronomer, noted for his estimate of the earth’s density from gravity measurements in mines; astronomer royal (1835–81)
adj.

late 14c., “of the air, made of air,” from air (n.1) + -y (2). Meaning “breezy” is attested from 1590s; that of “lively” is from 1640s. Sense of “vain, unsubstantial” is from 1580s. Disparaging airy-fairy is attested from 1920 (earlier in a sense of “delicate or light as a fairy,” which is how Tennyson used it in 1830).

Read Also:

  • Airier

    open to a free current of fresh air; breezy: airy rooms. consisting of or having the character of air; immaterial: airy phantoms. light in appearance; thin: airy garments. light in manner; sprightly; lively: airy songs. light in movement; graceful; delicate: an airy step. light as air; unsubstantial; unreal; imaginary: airy dreams. visionary; speculative. performed in […]

  • Airily

    in a gay or breezy manner; jauntily. lightly; delicately. Contemporary Examples Coakley airily suggested that maybe she could hold a fundraiser. The Kennedys React Lloyd Grove January 20, 2010 “Something to do with bankruptcy and an ancient honorary decree,” she said, airily. Freud’s Artistic Legacy Casey Schwartz January 24, 2011 Historical Examples God’s wrath must […]

  • Airiness

    openness to the air: the airiness of a balcony facing the sea. sprightliness of manner: a ballet marked by airiness and deft movement. snobbishness; affectation. Historical Examples But answering her banter he once caught an expression behind her airiness. If Winter Comes A.S.M. Hutchinson Stables and neat-houses were the perfection of cleanliness and airiness. In […]

  • Airing

    an exposure to the air, as for drying. a public discussion or disclosure, as of ideas, proposals, or facts. a walk, drive, exercise period, etc., in the , especially to promote health. the act of broadcasting on radio or television: The new comedy program will have its first airing this Friday night. a mixture of […]

  • Airish

    given to putting on airs. Historical Examples In secret she feared that Helena would be a trifle “airish,” and she felt that would be a pity. Dorothy’s House Party Evelyn Raymond


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