airy

[ air-ee ]

adjective

, air·i·er, air·i·est.

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 /

noun

1. AirySir George Biddell18011892MBritishSCIENCE: astronomer 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)

airy

²

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of airy¹

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

Related Words

• cheerful
• cheery
• graceful