plume
PLOOM
Plume (noun) means a large, often decorative feather, or a cluster of feathers. Example: “The knight's helmet had a bright red plume.”
noun
1
A large, often decorative feather, or a cluster of feathers.
"The knight's helmet had a bright red plume."
2
A rising column of smoke, dust, or similar substance.
"A plume of black smoke rose from the factory."
verb
1
Of a bird: to smooth and arrange its feathers.
"The swan plumed its wings before taking flight."
2
To feel proud of oneself, often excessively.
"He plumed himself on having predicted the result."
How to use plume
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA feather (or feather-like tuft), a rising cloud of smoke or dust, or to preen/be proud of oneself.
Common pairings
plume of smoke
feather plume
plume oneself on
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- plumes
- Past tense
- plumed
- Archaic forms
- plumest, plumedst, plumeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The knight's helmet had a bright red _____.
Etymology
From Latin "plūma" meaning feather or down, arriving in English through French.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for plume
See all rhymes for 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.
