Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having or covered with feathers: Describes something that possesses feathers or is adorned with them, typically referring to birds or objects decorated to resemble feathers.
   • Resembling or shaped like a feather: Describes something that has a light, thin, or tapered form similar to that of a feather.
   • Adorned with feathers or plumes: Describes an object that is decorated with feathers for ornamental purposes.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The feathered arrow flew straight to the target. (The arrow, which was fletched with feathers, flew straight.)
  • She wore a beautiful, feathered hat to the ceremony. (Her hat was decorated with ornamental feathers.)
  • We enjoy watching our feathered visitors at the bird feeder. (We enjoy watching the birds, which have feathers, at the feeder.)

Advanced Usage

• "Our feathered friends": A poetic or euphemistic phrase referring to birds.
  • Let's put out some seeds for our feathered friends this winter.
• "Feathered edge": A term sometimes used to describe a soft, blurred, or tapered edge, as in painting or design.
  • The artist created a beautiful feathered edge where the two colors met.

Variants and Related Words

• Feathery (adj): Light, soft, or delicate like a feather.
  • The cake had a feathery texture.
• Feathering (n): The act of providing, trimming, or decorating with feathers; also, a pattern or structure resembling feathers.
  • The feathering on the bird's wing was intricate.
• Unfeathered (adj): Lacking feathers.
  • The young chick was still largely unfeathered.

Synonyms

• Plumed: Adorned with feathers.
• Fledged: Having the feathers necessary for flight.
• Plumate: Having feathers or feather-like structures.

Antonyms

• Unfeathered: Without feathers.
• Bald: Lacking a natural covering (e.g., of feathers or hair).

Related Phrases

• "Feather one's nest" (Idiom): To enrich oneself, especially by taking advantage of one's position. (Note: This idiom uses "feather" as a verb, not the adjective "feathered").
  • The corrupt official used public funds to feather his nest.
• "Light as a feather" (Idiom): Extremely light in weight.
  • After dropping her backpack, she felt light as a feather.

Adjective

1. having or covered with feathers
   • our feathered friends
2. adorned with feathers or plumes