See also: Airy

English edit

Etymology edit

air +‎ -y

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

airy (comparative airier, superlative airiest)

  1. Consisting of air.
    an airy substance; the airy parts of bodies
  2. Relating or belonging to air; high in air; aerial.
    an airy flight
  3. Open to a free current of air; exposed to the air; breezy.
    • 1958, Anthony Burgess, The Enemy in the Blanket (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 255:
      It was a good solid house, fanless but airy.
    an airy situation
  4. Resembling air; thin; unsubstantial; not material; airlike.
    • 1977 July 10, Jim Shooter, “Beware the Ant-Man!”, in Avengers, volume 1, number 161, panel 5, Marvel Comics, page 14:
      Neither diamond-hardness nor airy intangibility can save you from this, the searing agony of death!
  5. Relating to the spirit or soul; delicate; graceful.
    airy music
  6. Not based on reality; having no solid foundation
    Synonyms: empty, trifling, visionary
    • 1859 December 13, Charles Dickens, “The Ghost in Master B’s Room”, in Charles Dickens, editor, The Haunted House. The Extra Christmas Number of All the Year Round [], volume II, London: [] C. Whiting, [], →OCLC, page 30:
      Ah me, ah me! No other ghost has haunted the boy’s room, my friends, since I have occupied it, than the ghost of my own childhood, the ghost of my own innocence, the ghost of my own airy belief.
  7. light-hearted; vivacious
    Synonyms: sprightly, flippant, superficial
  8. Having an affected manner; being in the habit of putting on airs; affectedly grand.
  9. (painting) Having the light and aerial tints true to nature.
  10. (of a room or building) Spacious, well lit, well ventilated.
    • 2020 December 2, Andy Coward, “New-look Reading is willing and able”, in Rail, page 59:
      The station has a bright and airy feel and the refurbishment works have provided a modern and inviting station environment for passengers.

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