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plume

17 synonyms for plume, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A large, often decorative feather, or a cluster of feathers.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

plumage preen pride oneself primp gazump overcharge fleece pluck

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A large, often decorative feather, or a cluster of feathers.

“The knight's helmet had a bright red plume.”

feather plumage column cloud preen pride oneself

2. verb

Of a bird: to smooth and arrange its feathers.

“The swan plumed its wings before taking flight.”

How to use plume

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

plume of smoke feather plume plume oneself on

Etymology

From Latin "plūma" meaning feather or down, arriving in English through French.

Full origin of plume →

Frequently asked questions

What does “plume” mean?
The word “plume” means a large, often decorative feather, or a cluster of feathers. In plain terms, a feather (or feather-like tuft), a rising cloud of smoke or dust, or to preen/be proud of oneself.
How do you pronounce “plume”?
“Plume” is pronounced PLOOM (/ˈplum/ in IPA).
How do you use “plume” in a sentence?
Here is “plume” used in a sentence: “The knight's helmet had a bright red plume.”
What part of speech is “plume”?
Depending on how it is used, “plume” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “plume” come from?
The word “plume” comes from Latin. From Latin "plūma" meaning feather or down, arriving in English through French.
Is “plume” a common word?
“Plume” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “plume” have?
“Plume” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, often decorative feather, or a cluster of feathers.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.