feather

feather — noun

1. one of the thin, lightweight structures that grow from a bird's skin and cover i

1.nounA1
Definition

one of the thin, lightweight structures that grow from a bird's skin and cover its body — each has a long central shaft with soft strands branching out from both sides

Example

Théo found a blue feather from a jay lying on the grass this morning.

The peacock spread its long, colourful feathers to attract a mate in the park.

countable: a bird's individual feathers

Common collocations
  • soft feather
  • colourful feather
  • feather pillow
  • feather duster
  • feather boa
  • tail feather
  • wing feather
Synonyms
  • plume

    Usually refers to a large, showy feather worn as decoration or displayed by a bird

  • quill

    Specifically the hollow central shaft of a feather; also used for old-fashioned writing pens made from feathers

Grammar Patterns

feather + verb (a feather falls, feathers cover)

Usage Note

Often used in the plural (feathers) when referring to a bird's full body covering; the singular (a feather) refers to one individual structure.

Common Mistakes

A bird has fur to keep warm.
A bird has feathers to keep warm.
Fur grows on mammals; feathers grow on birds.

2. in rowing or canoeing, the action of turning the blade of an oar or paddle so th

2.nounC1
Definition

in rowing or canoeing, the action of turning the blade of an oar or paddle so that its flat side faces the sky while the rower moves it forward between strokes, reducing wind resistance

Example

Ryo practised the feather every time he lifted the oar out of the cold water.

Good feather helps a rower keep the boat balanced and steady between each stroke.

uncountable: 'the feather' as a technique

Common collocations
  • clean feather
  • proper feather
  • learn the feather
  • do a feather

Grammar Patterns

do a feather

practice the feather

Usage Note

Used almost exclusively in the context of rowing and canoeing. Not used in everyday conversation about birds — do not confuse with sense noun/1.

Idioms

birds of a feather (flock together)

idiom

said to mean that people who share similar interests, backgrounds, or personalities tend to spend time together and form groups

At the art club, all the painters sat together — birds of a feather, I suppose.

Wei and his friends all love hiking and camping; birds of a feather flock together.

a feather in your cap

idiom

an achievement or honour that you can be proud of and that people will admire

Winning the science award was a real feather in her cap at graduation.

Getting promoted to manager after just one year was a feather in Reuben's cap.

ruffle someone's feathers

idiom

to annoy, upset, or make someone feel angry or offended

His rude comment about her cooking really ruffled her feathers at the dinner party.

The new company rules ruffled a few feathers among the older employees.

smooth (ruffled) feathers

idiom

to make someone who is angry or upset feel calmer and less offended

The manager tried to smooth ruffled feathers after the team argument last week.

Apologising publicly helped smooth feathers among the disappointed customers.

feather your (own) nest

idiom

to make yourself rich or gain advantages for yourself, often in a dishonest or selfish way

The politician used public money to feather his own nest while in office.

Some consultants spend more time feathering their nests than helping their clients.

ruffle somebody’s/a few feathers

idiom

To cause annoyance or anger to someone or a group.

Maya's comments about the project ruffled a few feathers in the team.

Did Brian's joke ruffle your feathers during the meeting?

smooth (somebody’s) ruffled feathers

idiom

To calm someone down after they have been annoyed or offended.

The manager smoothed Sara's ruffled feathers by apologizing sincerely.

Diego tried to smooth his friend's ruffled feathers after the argument.

you could have knocked me down with a feather

idiom

Used to show that you were extremely surprised by something.

When Aiden won the lottery, you could have knocked me down with a feather.

You could have knocked me down with a feather when I saw the final score.

feather — verb

Word family

  • feathered
    adjectiveB1
  • feathery
    adjectiveB2
  • feathering
    nounC1
  • featherless
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Feather is the general word for any of the light structures covering a bird's body — it is the only term used in everyday conversation. Plume refers specifically to a large, showy or decorative feather, such as an ostrich plume worn in a hat or the long tail feathers a peacock displays; it often has a more ornamental feel. Quill is the hollow central shaft of a feather, but by extension can mean a whole feather, especially one used historically as a writing pen ('quill pen'). Down describes the very soft, small feathers close to a bird's skin that trap warmth — it is the material inside pillows and winter jackets rather than a visible outer feather. For most everyday contexts, feather is the correct choice. If you are describing decoration or display, plume is more evocative. If you are talking about warmth or bedding, down is the right word.

feather ↗plumequilldown ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a feather in one's cap
  • birds of a feather
  • ruffle feathers
  • feather one's nest

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Feather comes from Old English 'feðer', which is related to German 'Feder' and Dutch 'veer'. These all trace back to a shared Proto-Germanic root '*feþrō'. Going further back, the word comes from the Proto-Indo-European root '*péth₂r̥', meaning 'wing' or 'feather', which itself comes from '*peth₂-', meaning 'to fly'. The word has been used for the bird body part for over a thousand years, and newer senses (oar action, carpentry join) are metaphorical extensions based on the feather's flat, thin shape.