AIRILY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does airily mean? 

• AIRILY (adverb)
  The adverb AIRILY has 1 sense:

1. in a flippant manner

  Familiarity information: AIRILY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• AIRILY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a flippant manner

Synonyms:

airily; flippantly

Context example:

this cannot be airily explained to your children

 Context examples 

"It's rather absurd, Mr. Eden, to have caught us in this shape," Mr. Ford preambled airily.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Presently the chambers gave up their fair tenants one after another: each came out gaily and airily, with dress that gleamed lustrous through the dusk.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Coming through the clear, sunny atmosphere among the green tree-tops, I thought it had sounded airily and sweetly; and the effect on my companions was the stranger.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

He was in great spirits all the way; and when we parted, and I looked after him going so gallantly and airily homeward, I thought of his saying, Ride on over all obstacles, and win the race! and wished, for the first time, that he had some worthy race to run.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

This phantom wore many faces, but it always had golden hair, was enveloped in a diaphanous cloud, and floated airily before his mind's eye in a pleasing chaos of roses, peacocks, white ponies, and blue ribbons.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

"That's right—that's the way to take it," the cub announced airily, though he had already begun to glance anxiously at the door.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)