airless

adjective

air·​less ˈerləs 

1

: lacking air

2

: lacking fresh air or movement of air

a dusty airless attic

3

: lacking imagination, creativity, or liveliness : not interesting or stimulating

Despite being superbly crafted and well acted, The White Ribbon does not break new esthetic ground; the overly convoluted and airless narrative makes one yearn for the viscerally shocking provocations of earlier Haneke films …

—Richard Porton, Cineaste, 22 Sept. 2009

Krasznahorkai's novel has the airless feel of a work with a settled view of things.

—Robert Boyers, New Republic, 29 July 2002

airlessly adverb

But Gaston is bored by everything in his airlessly perfect life, even the cruel womanizing that his uncle (Maurice Chevalier) keeps encouraging.

—Ted Loos, Wine Spectator, 3 Nov. 1997

airlessness noun

Because just beyond the metal walls was the black airlessness of space …

—Michael J. Daley, Rat Trap, 2008

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Rhymes for airless

• careless
• hairless