Airy, a.
1. Consisting of air; as, an airy substance; the airy parts of bodies.
2. Relating or belonging to air; high in air; aërial; as, an airy flight. "The airy region." Milton.
3. Open to a free current of air; exposed to the air; breezy; as, an airy situation.
4. Resembling air; thin; unsubstantial; not material; airlike. "An airy spirit." Shak.
6 more senses
5. Relating to the spirit or soul; delicate; graceful; as, airy music.
6. Without reality; having no solid foundation; empty; trifling; visionary. "Airy fame." Shak. Empty sound, and airy notions. Roscommon.
7. Light of heart; vivacious; sprightly; flippant; superficial. "Merry and airy." Jer. Taylor.
8. Having an affected manner; being in the habit of putting on airs; affectedly grand. [Colloq.]
9. (Paint.)
Having the light and aërial tints true to nature. Elmes.
Shades of meaning
Aerial and airy both signify of or belonging to the air, but airy also describes that which seems as if made of air; we speak of airy shapes, airy nothings, where we could not well say aerial; ethereal describes its object as belonging to the upper air, the pure ether, and so, often, heavenly. Sprightly, spiritlike, refers to light, free, cheerful activity of mind and body. That which is lively or animated may be agreeable or the reverse; as, an animated discussion; a lively company.