airily
- adverb
- /ˈɛrɪli/
- "Sure," Bridget said airily, "see you then."
- say airily
- reply airily
- wave airily
Examples
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"They'll figure it out on their own," she said airily, showing no real concern for the situation.
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"It's just a game," she said airily, shrugging off the loss as if it didn't matter.
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But what," he asked airily, "would the Al in Arizona think if we killed this one?
Fiction book (1999) -
"Oh, don't worry about that," she said airily.
Fiction book (1998) -
Tolstoy answered airily, "Wives can be put aside, as you well know."
Fiction book (2002) -
"I've been touched by other women, too," I said airily, unbearably.
Fiction book (1994) -
"A passing fancy," said Sam, airily waving an unlit Eureka cigar.
Fiction book (1992) -
Playing the pharaoh's helper, Carney airily dismissed widespread bipartisan questions about the legality of the power grab as "esoteric discussion."
Blog text (26) -
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that," he replied airily, dismissing her concerns with a wave of his hand.
Synonyms
Without much care or serious thought
In a relaxed, not very careful way
In a cheerful, careless way that shows little concern
In a calm way that shows little worry or emotion
In a calm way that shows no worry or excitement
Showing no interest or care
In a way that shows little respect and treats things lightly
Speak in a smooth way that does not seem honest
In a joking way that is not meant to be taken seriously
In a casual, confident way that shows no worry
In a cheerful, carefree way without showing worry
In a relaxed way without worry
In a way that shows little careful thought before acting
In a way that shows no worry or interest
Speaks or acts in a joking way
In a casual way that shows little worry or care
Antonyms
How Unconcerned
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word airily comes from air ('a light breeze' or 'open space') plus the adverb ending -ly. So to act airily is to behave 'lightly' or 'without seriousness', like a soft breeze that does not weigh things down.