airhead

¹ American  

[air-hed] / ˈɛərˌhɛd /

noun

1. Slang. a scatterbrained, stupid, or simple-minded person; dolt.

   Even though she's crazy about surfing, she's not the bikini-babe airhead you might think.

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airhead ² American  

[air-hed] / ˈɛərˌhɛd /

noun

1. an area in enemy territory or in threatened friendly territory, seized by airborne troops for bringing in supplies and additional troops by airdrop or landing.

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airhead ¹ British  

/ ˈɛəˌhɛd /

noun

1. military an area secured in hostile territory, used as a base for the supply and evacuation of troops and equipment by air

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airhead ² British  

/ ˈɛəˌhɛd /

noun

1. slang a stupid or simple-minded person; idiot

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Other Word Forms

• airheaded adjective

Etymology

Origin of airhead¹

First recorded probably earlier than 1975–80; air ¹ + head

Origin of airhead²

air ¹ + (beach)head

Example Sentences

McGonigal described Hazel's character as very "fun to play", adding: "She's witty, she's bubbly, she's a bit of an airhead but then also very wise."

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

And in the second act, he has a crucial existential colloquy with Marianne, Rachel Bay Jones’ wealthy airhead, who reveals a surprising amount of depth in a philosophical back and forth with her uncertain confessor.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2023

The score thrums with the power chords of enlightenment and, in a grace note, Fellner’s supposed airhead lands the script’s most insightful line: “Real love is to be at peace with flawed love.”

From New York Times • Jan. 26, 2023

To infer from all this that he is a delightful airhead, however, would be a mistake.

From The Guardian • Mar. 3, 2018

I was kind of hoping Edie would be an airhead.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish

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