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• airy
  airy

  adjective

  open to a free current of fresh air; breezy.
• Airy
  Airy

  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)

airy

American  

[air-ee] / ˈɛər i /

adjective

airier, airiest

1. open to a free current of fresh air; breezy.

   airy rooms.

2. consisting of or having the character of air; immaterial.

   airy phantoms.

3. light in appearance; thin.

   airy garments.

4. light in manner; sprightly; lively.

   airy songs.

   Synonyms:

   merry, jaunty

5. light in movement; graceful; delicate.

   an airy step.

6. light as air; unsubstantial; unreal; imaginary.

   airy dreams.

   Synonyms:

   illusory, fanciful

7. visionary; speculative.

8. performed in the air; aerial.

9. lofty; high in the air.

10. putting on airs; affected; snobbish.

    an airy debutante posing for society photographers.

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airy ¹ British  

/ ˈɛərɪ /

adjective

1. abounding in fresh air

2. spacious or uncluttered

3. nonchalant; superficial

4. visionary; fanciful

   airy promises

   airy plans

5. of or relating to air

6. weightless and insubstantial

   an airy gossamer

7. light and graceful in movement

8. having no material substance

   airy spirits

9. high up in the air; lofty

10. performed in the air; aerial

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Airy ² British  

/ ˈɛərɪ /

noun

1. 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)

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Etymology

Origin of airy

1350–1400; Middle English ayery; see air ¹, -y ¹

Explanation

An airy place is full of fresh air. Other airy things are either light like air or without substance like air. Air surrounds us, and it has a lot of meanings. If a place is described as airy, that means it's full of fresh air. An open stadium is airy, while a stuffy apartment is not. If a house has lots of open windows, it's airy. Also, an argument that has no substance can be called airy, because there's nothing to it. Light things are airy too: a flimsy, light dress or a low-fat dessert could both be called airy.

Related Words

• cheerful
• cheery
• graceful