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 be harder to bear than the bitter humiliation to which her mother had so airily condemned her.
A Bride of the Plains Baroness Emmuska Orczy
“This morning—you’re just in time, as usual,” said Georges, airily.
Lorraine Robert W. Chambers
Oh,” he said airily, “I told him to keep his pig of a child away from the white chief.
Wanderings Among South Sea Savages And in Borneo and the Philippines H. Wilfrid Walker
“I hardly feel that I’ve begun this inquiry yet,” said Winter airily.
The Strange Case of Mortimer Fenley Louis Tracy
You go on airily: ‘I’m pretty sure I can bring twenty thousand pounds’ worth of ads.
Books and Persons Arnold Bennett
Henry (airily, with a typically British desire to conceal his emotion).
Happy Days Alan Alexander Milne
“God knows,” said Davy airily, preparing to resume his reading.
Anne Of The Island Lucy Maud Montgomery
“What we want is to administer a tonic to the Conference in Milan,” he said airily.
The Secret Agent Joseph Conrad
adverb
in a jaunty or high-spirited manner
in a light or delicate manner
adv.
1766, from airy “with ostentatious air” (see air (n.2)) + -ly (2).
Read Also:
- 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
- Airless
lacking air. that is without fresh air; stuffy: a dark, airless hallway. that is without a breeze; still: an airless July day. Contemporary Examples Olowu had gotten tired of the Fashion Week slog of runway shows and models posing statically in airless rooms. Designer Duro Olowu Mixes Fashion and Art in Pop-Up Exhibition Robin Givhan […]
- Airlock
to place in or confine to an air lock: to air-lock divers before they descend. Historical Examples As he hastened down the passageway toward his office, the airlock sucked the door against its jamb with an ominous whistle. Astounding Stories of Super-Science January 1930 Victor Rousseau He passed through the airlock and out into the […]