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; 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.

Example Sentences

The house — one level, bright and airy, with concrete floors to smooth the path of his wheelchair — perches at the end of a steep dirt road.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

Focaccia, with its airy, spongy interior and crisp, olive-oil–slicked crust, is equal parts hearty and delicate, an ideal sandwich bread if there ever was one.

From Salon • Feb. 3, 2026

Anderson, a 41-year-old Northern Irish designer, also honoured nature, but through highly floral silhouettes that were both sculptural and airy.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

After showing me around the production floor, Andrew Shearer, the company’s 29-year-old head distiller, walked me to the big, airy bar.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

Not only did this imply that the planets—in the heavens—were made of light, airy stuff, but it also meant that any people in the heavens would naturally fall to Earth.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Related Words

• cheerful
• cheery
• graceful