Definition

Adjective 1. Having a tuft or cluster of hairs, feathers, or other filaments: Describes something, especially an animal or bird, that has a distinct, often ornamental, bunch or clump growing from a particular point, typically the head. 2. Adorned with or forming a tuft: Describes an object that is decorated with or consists of a tuft-like feature. 3. (Of plants) growing in dense, compact clumps: Describes plants that grow in tight, bunched formations resembling tufts.

Examples of Usage

• Describing animals/birds:
  • The tufted titmouse is easily identified by the pointed crest of gray feathers on its head.
  • We saw a tufted duck with its distinctive drooping crest.
• Describing objects:
  • She preferred the luxurious feel of the tufted leather headboard.
  • The antique chair had a tufted velvet seat.
• Describing plants/growth:
  • Tufted hairgrass forms neat, dense clumps in the meadow.
  • The field was covered in tufted moss.

Advanced Usage

• In combination: Often used in combination to form the common names of species, e.g., tufted puffin, tufted deer, tufted saxifrage.
• In manufacturing/design: Frequently used to describe a specific upholstery technique where fabric is pulled and secured at intervals with buttons or stitches, creating a surface of soft depressions and tufts.

Variants and Related Words

• Tuft (noun): A bunch or collection of threads, grass, hair, etc., held or growing together at the base.
  • A tuft of wool was caught on the fence.
• Tuft (verb): To provide or adorn with a tuft or tufts.
  • The artisan will tuft the cushion by hand.

Synonyms

• Crested
• Tasseled
• Clumped
• Bunched

Antonyms

• Smooth
• Unadorned
• Sparse

Adjective

1. (of a bird or animal) having a usually ornamental tuft or process on the head; often used in combination
   • golden crested
   • crested iris
   • crested oriole
   • tufted duck
   • tufted loosestrife
2. having or adorned with tufts
   • a tufted bedspread
3. (of plants) growing in small dense clumps or tufts