Meaning & use
breezily
Last updated
Meanings
adverbnot comparable
In a lively, relaxed and confident way, as if nothing were any trouble.
Grammar: Goes with verbs of speaking and moving: she answered breezily.
Patterns
- say something breezily
- walk breezily
She waved breezily and walked into the interview.
He breezily agreed to host the party for twenty people.
The new manager breezily introduced himself to the whole staff.
adverbnot comparabledisapproving
In a way that treats a serious matter too lightly, without proper concern.
Grammar: Often critical; used when someone ignores a real problem.
Patterns
- breezily dismiss something
He breezily dismissed the warnings about the budget.
The minister breezily promised that prices would fall by next week.
She breezily ignored the complaints from her neighbors.
adverbnot comparablerare
With a pleasant, light wind blowing; in a windy manner.
Grammar: Rare and literal; usually describes weather or scenes.
The flags flapped breezily along the seafront.
Curtains moved breezily at the open window.
The day began breezily, with clouds racing overhead.
Common combinations
- say breezily
- "No problem," she said breezily.
- breezily confident
- He was breezily confident about the exam.
- wave breezily
- The guide waved breezily at the passing tourists.
- breezily dismissive
- His reply was breezily dismissive.
- walk in breezily
- She walked in breezily, half an hour late.
Synonyms and how they differ
- cheerfully
- Cheerfully focuses on happy mood and does not suggest casual or careless manner.
- casually
- Casually shows lack of effort or formality but not necessarily brightness.
- nonchalantly
- Nonchalantly suggests cool lack of concern, often to hide worry.
- airily
- Airily is similar but stresses a light, dismissive tone.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: breezily or easily?
breezily vs easily
Easily means without difficulty; breezily describes a manner of acting rather than the effort needed.
Practice
Which sentence uses breezily to criticize someone?
Choose one answer.
Brushing aside a safety warning breezily shows a careless attitude to something serious. The other sentences use breezily in a positive or neutral way.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “breezily”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.