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Airily: meaning, definitions and examples

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airily

 

[ ˈɛə.ri.li ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

manner of speaking

The term 'airily' refers to a manner that is light, carefree, or unconcerned. It often describes a way of speaking or behaving that seems effortless and casual. An airily spoken remark might suggest that the speaker is not taking the situation seriously, representing a sense of detachment or flippancy. This word conveys a sense of ease combined with a dismissive attitude, which can sometimes come across as being slightly aloof.

Synonyms

carelessly, casually, flippantly, lightly, nonchalantly

Examples of usage

  • She airily dismissed the concerns of her colleagues.
  • He spoke airily about his weekend plans, as if they were of little importance.
  • The actress responded airily to questions about her latest film.
  • With an airily raised eyebrow, she challenged his assumptions.

Translations

Translations of the word "airily" in other languages:

🇵🇹 de maneira leve

🇮🇳 हल्के ढंग से

🇩🇪 luftig

🇮🇩 dengan ringan

🇺🇦 легковажно

🇵🇱 lekko

🇯🇵 軽やかに (karuyaka ni)

🇫🇷 légèrement

🇪🇸 ligeramente

🇹🇷 hafifçe

🇰🇷 가볍게 (gabyeobge)

🇸🇦 بخفّة (bikhifhah)

🇨🇿 lehce

🇸🇰 ľahko

🇨🇳 轻松地 (qīngsōng de)

🇸🇮 lahkotno

🇮🇸 létt

🇰🇿 жеңіл

🇬🇪 მარტივად (martivad)

🇦🇿 yüngül

🇲🇽 ligeramente

Etymology

The word 'airily' is derived from the adjective 'airy', which has its roots in the Old English term 'ærge', meaning 'to be light or lifted'. This term evolved through Middle English as 'airie', and its usage has always carried connotations of lightness and ethereality. By adding the adverbial suffix '-ly', it formed 'airily', indicating not just a state of being airy but also how actions are performed in that light, lifted manner. The evolution of 'airy' illustrates a cultural appreciation for qualities of carefreeness and lightness, linking it to elements of nature and the ephemeral qualities of air itself. The transition from a descriptive state to an adverbial form reflects the English language's flexibility and richness in expressing nuances of behavior and mannerisms.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,515 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.