airbrain

English

Etymology

From air +‎ brain.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈeɹˌbɹeɪn/, /ˈɛːˌbɹeɪn/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈɛːbɹeɪn/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈɛɚˌbɹeɪn/
• Hyphenation: air‧brain
• Rhymes: -ɛə(ɹ)bɹeɪn

Noun

airbrain (plural airbrains)

1. (slang, derogatory, uncommon) An airhead; a foolish, silly, or unintelligent person. [from 20th c.]
   • 1983 September, Jeanne Betancourt, chapter 7, in The Rainbow Kid, Avon Books, page 69:

     "You airbrain," I screamed. "You know you're not invited to my party. So bug off. And don't you dare show up!" I added.

   • 1984, Thomas Luke, chapter 1, in Condor, London: W. H. Allen & Co., page 15:

     He was tough, and courageous, but he wasn’t an airbrain.

   • 1988, Lee Anderson, chapter 1, in Family Secrets, Avalon Books, pages 6-7:

     It was a boldfaced lie, but if J.B. wanted to talk to an airbrain like his daughter about our secret projects, he could.