feather
FEHTH-uh
Feather (noun) means one of the light, branching structures covering a bird's body, used for flight and insulation. Example: “A single white feather drifted down onto the lawn.”
noun
1
One of the light, branching structures covering a bird's body, used for flight and insulation.
"A single white feather drifted down onto the lawn."
"Peacocks display their long tail feathers to attract a mate."
"The child tucked a blue feather behind her ear and ran off to play."
verb
1
To turn an oar or propeller blade so its edge cuts through air or water with less resistance.
"The rower feathered the blades cleanly between strokes."
"You should feather your oars as they come out of the water to save energy."
"The pilot feathered the propeller after the engine failed, which reduced the drag."
How to use feather
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe light, fluffy covering on a bird's body, or (as a verb) to angle a blade to cut through air/water smoothly.
Common pairings
light as a feather
feather in your cap
feather duster
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like feather.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- feathers
- Third person singular
- feathers
- Past tense
- feathered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A single white _____ drifted down onto the lawn.
Etymology
From Old English feþer, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to fly" — related to Greek petomai ("to fly") and Latin penna ("feather").
Related words
Rhymes for feather
See all rhymes for feather →Frequently asked questions
What does “feather” mean?
The word “feather” means one of the light, branching structures covering a bird's body, used for flight and insulation. In plain terms, the light, fluffy covering on a bird's body, or (as a verb) to angle a blade to cut through air/water smoothly.
How do you pronounce “feather”?
“Feather” is pronounced FEHTH-uh (/ˈfɛð.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “feather” in a sentence?
Here is “feather” used in a sentence: “A single white feather drifted down onto the lawn.”
What is another word for “feather”?
Words with a similar meaning to “feather” include plume and pluma.
What part of speech is “feather”?
Depending on how it is used, “feather” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “feather” come from?
The word “feather” comes from Latin. From Old English feþer, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to fly" — related to Greek petomai ("to fly") and Latin penna ("feather").
Is “feather” a common word?
“Feather” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “feather” have?
“Feather” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: one of the light, branching structures covering a bird's body, used for flight and insulation.
What does it mean to "feather" an oar in rowing?
To feather an oar means turning the blade so its edge cuts through the air or water, reducing resistance during the recovery part of the stroke. This technique improves efficiency and speed compared to holding the blade flat against the air.
What is the difference between a "feather" and a "plume"?
Both terms refer to the light, branching structures covering a bird's body, but "plume" often specifically suggests a large, showy feather used for display, while "feather" is the general term for any individual structure.
What is the difference between "feather" and "down"?
"Feather" refers to the structured, often stiffer plumage covering a bird's body, used for flight and insulation, while "down" refers specifically to the soft, fluffy under-layer of feathers used mainly for warmth.
