airy

[air-ee]

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

/ 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

Airy

²

/ 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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of airy¹

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

Example Sentences

Such girls were meant to burn out before they grew up, before they could accomplish anything weightier than airy charm.

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The album as a whole is airy, bouncy, midtempo and meek, with bubbly keyboards, soft piano and no sonic extremes.

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The Lincoln Park outpost, the most recent one I visited, is airy, welcoming, and even offers brunch.

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A few eggs with fat, golden yolks whipped until airy.

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I bucked the trend and mashed garlic and tomato together on that airy, comfortably salty focaccia.

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Related Words

• cheerful 
• cheery 
• graceful