airy

airy

adjective \ˈer-ē\

air·i·erair·i·est

Definition of AIRY

1

a : of or relating to air : atmospheric

b : high in the air : lofty <airy perches>

c : performed in air : aerial <airy leaps>

2

: unreal, illusory <airy romances>

3

a : being light and graceful in movement or manner : sprightly, vivacious <an airy dance>

b : exceptionally light, delicate, or refined <an airy fragrance>

4

a : open to the free circulation of air <an airy room>

b : having openings or spaces <airy lacework>

5

: affected, proud <airy condescension>

— air·i·ly \ˈer-ə-lē\ adverb

— air·i·ness \-ē-nəs\ noun

Examples of AIRY

1. The room is open, light, and airy.
2. He refused with an airy wave of his hand.

First Known Use of AIRY

14th century

Related to AIRY

Synonyms

ethereal, fluffy, gossamer, gossamery, light

Antonyms

heavy, leaden

Related Words

cobwebby, dainty, delicate, diaphanous, downy, feathery, flimsy, gauzelike, gauzy, insubstantial, tender, wispy; buoyant, lighter-than-air, lightweight, rarefied, unsubstantial, vaporous, weightless; cumulous, pillowy

Near Antonyms

firm, solid, substantial; bulky, burdensome, cumbersome, hefty, hulking, lumpish, ponderous, unwieldy, weighty

Rhymes with AIRY

aerie, berry, bury, Carey, cherry, chary, dairy, Derry, faerie, fairy, ferry, Gerry, glairy, glary, hairy, Jerry, kerry, Mary, marry, merry, nary, perry, prairie, query, scary, serry, Shari, sherry, skerry, terry, Terry, vary, very, wary, wherry