English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

noun

quill

kwihl

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Quill (noun) means the hollow central shaft of a bird's feather. Example: “The quill of the feather was surprisingly stiff.”

noun

1

The hollow central shaft of a bird's feather.

"The quill of the feather was surprisingly stiff."

2

A pen made from a large feather, historically used for writing.

"The letter was written with a quill dipped in ink."

3

One of the sharp, barbed spines on a porcupine or hedgehog.

"The dog came home with a muzzle full of porcupine quills."

How to use quill

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA feather's stiff central shaft, an old-fashioned feather pen, or one of a porcupine's sharp spines.

Common pairings

write with a quill porcupine quills

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: quills
Third person singular: quills
Past tense: quilled

Test yourself on “quill” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ of the feather was surprisingly stiff.

Etymology

Comes from late Middle English quyl, first attested in the early 15th century with the meanings "fragment of reed" and "shaft of a feather", probably from Low German and Middle Low German quiele, possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʷelH- (“to pierce, stick”). Compare Middle High German kil (“large feather, quill”), derived from the Low German term.

Synonyms

shaft pinion calamus quill pen quill feather flight feather

Related words

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Frequently asked questions

What does “quill” mean?

The word “quill” means the hollow central shaft of a bird's feather. In plain terms, a feather's stiff central shaft, an old-fashioned feather pen, or one of a porcupine's sharp spines.

How do you pronounce “quill”?

“Quill” is pronounced kwihl (/kwɪl/ in IPA).

How do you use “quill” in a sentence?

Here is “quill” used in a sentence: “The quill of the feather was surprisingly stiff.”

What part of speech is “quill”?

“Quill” is a noun.

How many meanings does “quill” have?

“Quill” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the hollow central shaft of a bird's feather.

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