What does feathery mean?
Feathery is an adjective used to describe something that resembles a feather, whether literally or in quality. In its literal sense it applies to birds and their plumage; more often, it describes anything remarkably light, soft, fine, or fluffy — the feathery fronds of a fern or carrot top, a feathery layer of snow, wisps of feathery white hair, or a kiss so light it barely touches. Because feathers combine softness with almost no weight, the word blends two ideas at once, which makes it a favorite of poets and descriptive writers. Its connotations are gentle and pleasant, suggesting delicacy rather than weakness. Derived simply from the old English word for a bird's feather, it remains a versatile, evocative term wherever lightness of texture needs capturing.
adjectiveResembling or covered with feathers, especially in being light, soft, delicate, or fluffy in texture or appearance.
- Covered with or consisting of feathers.
- Light, soft, fluffy, or delicate in a way suggestive of feathers, applied to textures, plants, hair, clouds, and similar things.
"The owl's feathery plumage let it glide through the night air in near silence."
"The seeds drifted down on feathery parachutes of down."
"She gave his cheek a feathery kiss before slipping out the door."
A single feather can be thousands of times lighter than the bird that grew it — and "feathery" is the word English reaches for whenever anything else manages that trick of weightless softness.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of feathery
Feathery is formed by adding the adjectival suffix -y to "feather," a word inherited directly from Old English feðer, which in turn goes back to a common Germanic root also seen in Dutch veder and German Feder. The word has been used in English since the Middle Ages, and the derived form feathery emerged by the early modern period to describe both actual plumage and feather-like lightness. Its Germanic cousins remain its closest true cognates, though the sense of something weightless and soft is shared across all of them.
How feathery is actually used
A descriptive, mildly poetic adjective common in nature writing, fashion, and everyday speech. It carries warm, gentle connotations of softness and lightness; it would sound odd applied to anything heavy, harsh, or angular.
Easily confused with feathery
"Feathered" means actually possessing or covered with feathers, while "feathery" means merely resembling a feather in lightness or texture.