Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Adorned with feathers or plumes: Having feathers attached as decoration or covering.
   • Characterized by a covering of feathers: Having a surface or body covered with feathers.
   • Resembling or suggesting a feather or feathers: Having the light, soft, delicate, or airy appearance or texture of a feather.

Usage

• The word "feathery" is used to describe objects, textures, or appearances that are either literally covered with feathers or have the qualities of feathers, such as being light, soft, or finely divided. It is often used in descriptive writing.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The dancer wore a feathery headdress that swayed with every movement.
  • The feathery leaves of the mimosa tree closed up when touched.
  • She brushed on a feathery stroke of gray to create the soft shadow.

Advanced Usage

• "Feathery touch": A very light, gentle, or delicate contact.
  • The artist applied the final highlights with a feathery touch.
• "Feathery texture": A texture that is light, airy, and soft, often used for food (like certain cakes or pastries) or natural formations (like frost or clouds).
  • The meringue had a perfect, feathery texture.

Variants and Related Words

• Feather (n): One of the light, flat growths that form the covering of a bird's body.
• Feathered (adj): Covered with feathers.
• Featheriness (n): The quality of being feathery.

Synonyms

• Plumed: Adorned with feathers.
• Downy: Covered with or resembling soft, fine feathers or hair.
• Fuzzy: Having a soft, blurred, or indistinct edge or texture, somewhat similar to feathery.
• Wispy: Fine, light, and delicate in a way that suggests it might blow away.

Antonyms

• Coarse: Rough or harsh in texture.
• Heavy: Of great weight; not light or airy.
• Solid: Firm and stable in shape; not liquid or fluid, and lacking airiness.

Adjective

1. adorned with feathers or plumes
2. characterized by a covering of feathers
   • the feathery congregation of jays
3. resembling or suggesting a feather or feathers
   • feathery palm trees