airy-fairy

American  

[air-ee-fair-ee] / ˈɛər iˈfɛər i /

adjective

1. Informal. delicate or lovely.

   an airy-fairy actress;

   an airy-fairy nightgown.

2. Informal. not based on reality or concerned with mundane affairs; unrealistic.

   He'd better get rid of those airy-fairy ideas about spending a fortune that isn't even his.

3. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. effeminate.

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airy-fairy British  

/ ˈɛərɪˈfɛərɪ /

adjective

1. informal fanciful and unrealistic

   an airy-fairy scheme

2. delicate to the point of being insubstantial; light

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Etymology

Origin of airy-fairy

First recorded in 1830–40, perhaps originally in the phrase “airy, fairy Lilian” in Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem “Lilian” (1830)

Example Sentences

Any evidence to the contrary is dismissed as airy-fairy daydreaming or a distasteful fluke.

From Salon • Sep. 7, 2025

“The divination wasn’t airy-fairy; the clouds didn’t open. As much as I’m spiritual, I’m very pragmatic too. He just gave me very clear advice, clear messages. I said, ‘I think I’ve found my tradition.’

From New York Times • Mar. 23, 2023

“This is not some hypothetical airy-fairy, we guess, and then we guess again,” she says.

From Slate • Oct. 3, 2017

But many England fans, for whom football was about blood and guts, balls and gumption rather than airy-fairy notions such as technique and vision, saw Hoddle as a hindrance who should tuck his shirt in.

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2014

“A detailed analysis of the way the planetary movements in the coming month will affect you, with reference to your personal chart,” she snapped, sounding much more like Professor McGonagall than her usual airy-fairy self.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling