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Synonyms

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.
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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of airy

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On this promising foundation, Ms. Day constructs a drama that is airy yet biting.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

A seafood-forward menu is served in a beautiful dining room that continues the coastal theme, with blue walls, light-colored wood and an airy atmosphere.

From Salon

The revs are but an airy figment in your febrile mind.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.