airier; airiest
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
airily adverb
airiness noun

Example Sentences

The room is open, light, and airy. He refused with an airy wave of his hand.
Recent Examples on the Web Think blue for something classically country—from an airy sky blue to a handsome navy. Erin Cavoto, Country Living, 19 Mar. 2023 Yes, the texture of a microwave omelet is a little different from one cooked on a stove—fluffy and airy versus a little less bouncy in the microwave. Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appétit, 18 Mar. 2023 The song, built around an airy piano melody, searches for understanding through observation. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2023 People lined up outside his Ocean Avenue shop for a taste of his airy, European-style cheesecakes. Elena Kadvany, San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Mar. 2023 And then the light, airy blues, plus the outdoor seating along the breezeway, all adding to The Blind Goat's casual and polished atmosphere. Phoebe Suy Gibson, Chron, 14 Mar. 2023 The seven airy rooms all face out of the hillside, offering incredible vistas of the city and coast spread out below. Karen I. Chen, Travel + Leisure, 18 Feb. 2023 Inside the airy nursery room of the Nurtury child care center, program director Ronda Atkins-Martinez reached to move 4-month-old Davion out of the sun that was beaming through the windows of the Roxbury facilities. Samantha J. Gross, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Feb. 2023 In this serene and sophisticated bedroom, a delicate and curvaceous latticelike wallpaper with a dark gray background brings depth to an airy neutral room. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Aug. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'airy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of airy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near airy

Cite this Entry

“Airy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/airy. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

airy

adjective
ˈa(ə)r-ē How to pronounce airy (audio)
ˈe(ə)r-
airier; airiest
1
a
: of or relating to air : atmospheric
b
: high in the air : lofty
airy perches
c
: performed in air
airy leaps
2
: lacking a sound or solid basis
airy romance
3
a
: light and graceful in movement and manner
an airy dancer
b
: extremely light, delicate, or refined
an airy perfume
4
: open to the air : breezy
an airy room
airily adverb
airiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on airy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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