adverb
-
in a jaunty or high-spirited manner
-
in a light or delicate manner
Other Word Forms
- unairily adverb
Etymology
Origin of airily
First recorded in 1760–70; see airy, -ly ( def. )
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.
This led me to be very wary of people airily predicting that democracy was finished, and made me alive to the way that, paradoxically, such nightmares can actually damage democracy.
From Salon • May 7, 2025
I told my story light and airily, but it was heavy when it happened.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2024
Instead, it exalts vegetarian textures: tackily chewy barley, softly crunchy cashews, and airily crisp panko.
From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2022
He was kidding on the square about being a streaming hoarder, and he’s got company among fellow celebrities, including those who used to airily claim they had time to make TV but not watch it.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 2, 2021
“The mother superior will have one,” Maria said airily.
From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer
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.
