airy

UK: /ˈɛəri/ US: /ˈɛri/ ,(âr′ē)

Inflections of 'airy' (adj):

airier

adj comparative

airiest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

air•y /ˈɛri/   adj., -i•er, -i•est. 

1. open to a free flow of fresh air; breezy:
   airy rooms.
2. made up of or having the character of air;
   immaterial:
   airy phantoms.
3. light in appearance;
   thin:
   airy, almost see-through garments.
4. light in manner;
   sprightly;
   lively:
   airy songs.
5. not solid;
   not substantial;
   unreal;
   imaginary:
   airy responses to difficult questions.
6. snobbish;
   haughty:
   a look of airy superiority.

air•i•ly /ˈɛrəli/  adv. 
air•i•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

air•y  (âr′ē), adj., 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.
5. light in movement;
   graceful;
   delicate:
   an airy step.
6. light as air;
   unsubstantial;
   unreal;
   imaginary:
   airy dreams.
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.

• 1350–1400; Middle English ayery; see air¹, -y¹

Synonyms

• 4. jaunty, merry.
• 6. fanciful, illusory.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

airy / ˈɛərɪ/ adjective (airier, airiest)

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
7. light and graceful in movement
8. high up in the air; lofty

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Airy / ˈɛərɪ/ noun

1. 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)