airhead

¹ American  

[air-hed] / ˈɛərˌhɛd /

noun

1. Slang. a scatterbrained, stupid, or simple-minded person; dolt.

   Even though she's crazy about surfing, she's not the bikini-babe airhead you might think.

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airhead ² American  

[air-hed] / ˈɛərˌhɛd /

noun

1. an area in enemy territory or in threatened friendly territory, seized by airborne troops for bringing in supplies and additional troops by airdrop or landing.

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airhead ¹ British  

/ ˈɛəˌhɛd /

noun

1. military an area secured in hostile territory, used as a base for the supply and evacuation of troops and equipment by air

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airhead ² British  

/ ˈɛəˌhɛd /

noun

1. slang a stupid or simple-minded person; idiot

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Other Word Forms

• airheaded adjective

Etymology

Origin of airhead¹

First recorded probably earlier than 1975–80; air ¹ + head

Origin of airhead²

air ¹ + (beach)head

Example Sentences

At the time, the word actor was “a synonym for airhead. Well, Reagan was no airhead,” Cannon said in a 2008 interview at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum.

From Los Angeles Times

But clearly, Mansfield’s public persona as just another Tinseltown airhead is something the other Hargitay siblings have had to contend with, too.

From Salon

And in the second act, he has a crucial existential colloquy with Marianne, Rachel Bay Jones’ wealthy airhead, who reveals a surprising amount of depth in a philosophical back and forth with her uncertain confessor.

From Los Angeles Times

The score thrums with the power chords of enlightenment and, in a grace note, Fellner’s supposed airhead lands the script’s most insightful line: “Real love is to be at peace with flawed love.”

From New York Times

Edie might not be an airhead, but she is definitely full of herself.

From Literature

Related Words

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