airily

Examples

• All

• "They'll figure it out on their own," she said airily, showing no real concern for the situation.

• "It's just a game," she said airily, shrugging off the loss as if it didn't matter.

• 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

L

lightly

vsairily

116 1.6

Without much care or serious thought

adds a more playful, dismissive tone rather than neutral casualness

C

casually

vsairily

103 2.5

In a relaxed, not very careful way

tends to be more playful or dismissive rather than merely careless

C

coolly

vsairily

19 4.3

In a calm way that shows little worry or emotion

is more lightly dismissive and less purely composed or detached

B

blithely

vsairily

15 8.1

In a cheerful, careless way that shows little concern

is more lightly dismissive rather than merely cheerful

N

nonchalantly

vsairily

9 7.4

In a calm way that shows no worry or excitement

is more light and playful, not only calm indifference

I

indifferently

vsairily

4 4.0

Showing no interest or care

is more playful or careless rather than simply uninterested

F

flippantly

vsairily

3 8.0

In a way that shows little respect and treats things lightly

is more about light unconcern and lack of thought than disrespect

G

glibly

vsairily

3 7.7

Speak in a smooth way that does not seem honest

is lighter and less insincere, focusing on carelessness not falseness

F

facetiously

vsairily

3 8.1

In a joking way that is not meant to be taken seriously

is more casually dismissive rather than intentionally humorous or sarcastic

B

breezily

vsairily

1 4.9

In a casual, confident way that shows no worry

leans more toward playful thoughtlessness than cheerful confidence

I

insouciantly

vsairily

1 9.9

In a relaxed way without worry

has a lighter, more dismissive tone and less simple calmness

L

light-heartedly

vsairily

1 3.8

In a cheerful, carefree way without showing worry

is slightly more dismissive or playful than mere cheerfulness

U

unseriously

vsairily

6.2

Speaks or acts in a joking way

leans toward playful dismissiveness rather than plain lack of care

U

unreflectively

vsairily

7.0

In a way that shows little careful thought before acting

is more about light careless attitude than only lacking thought

W

weightlessly

vsairily

6.5

In a casual way that shows little worry or care

is more about playful dismissiveness than simply lacking emotional weight

U

unconcernedly

vsairily

7.0

In a way that shows no worry or interest

is more playful or dismissive rather than plain lack of worry

Antonyms

S

seriously

∞ 1.6

In a way that shows you mean what you say

T

thoughtfully

43 3.7

In a careful way that shows you pay attention before deciding

How Unconcerned

thoughtlessly

3 4.9

flippantly

3 8.0

airily

1 6.7

lightly

116 1.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology