Feather — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈfe-t͟hər/ feath·er

Meaning & Definition of Feather

Feather (noun)

  1. any of the light, horny epidermal outgrowths that form the external covering of the body of birds
  2. plume
  3. the vane of an arrow

Feather (verb)

  1. to furnish (something, such as an arrow) with a feather
  2. to cover, clothe, or adorn with or as if with feathers
  3. to turn (an oar blade) almost horizontal when lifting from the water at the end of a stroke to reduce air resistance

Feather (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a number of persons or things that are grouped together because they have something in common

    "they are a very sports-minded couple, and most of their friends are of the same feather"

    similar: breed, class, description, genre, ilk, kidney, kind, like, manner, nature, order, sort, species, strain, stripe, type, variety
    related: model, sample, specimen, bracket, bunch, category, division, family, grade, group, grouping, lot, persuasion, rank(s), set, suite

  2. dressy clothing

    "prom couples strutted into the ballroom in full feather"

    similar: array, best, bravery, caparison, finery, frippery, full dress, gaiety, glad rags, regalia, best bib and tucker
    related: apparel, attire, costume, duds, habiliment(s), rags, raiment, rig, rigging, threads, toggery, togs, vestiary, vesture, wear
    near: tatters, disarray, dishabille

  3. a state of mind dominated by a particular emotion

    "you're in fine feather today"

    similar: cheer, humor, mode, mood, spirit, temper, frame of mind
    related: angle, attitude, mind-set, outlook, perspective, slant, standpoint, viewpoint, emotion, feeling, heart, passion, sentiment, strain, belief, conviction, judgment, mind, opinion, expression, tone, vein, character, disposition, identity, individuality, makeup, mettle, personality, selfhood, self-identity, temperament, responsiveness, sensibility, sensitiveness, sensitivity

Feather (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in pull

    similar: pull, pole, punt, canoe, kayak, oar, paddle, row, scull

  2. as in hang, lace

    similar: braid, embroider, figure, filigree, fillet, flounce, frill, fringe, furbelow, garland, hang, lace, ribbon, swag, wreathe, boss, chase, appliqué, gild, paint, brighten, freshen, smarten, spruce (up), diamond, gem, impearl, jewel, pearl, accessorize, dress up, trap, trick (out), redecorate, redo, adorn, array, beautify, bedeck, bedizen, blazon, caparison, deck, decorate, do, doll up, do up, drape, dress, embellish, emblaze, emboss, enrich, fancify, fancy up, festoon, garnish, glitz (up), grace, gussy up, ornament, pretty (up), trim
    opposite: blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil, simplify, streamline, bare, denude, dismantle, display, divest, expose, reveal, strip, uncover, uglify

Related Entry: Feather bed (noun)

Feather bed is a different word from Feather. The synonyms below are for feather bed, not for feather.

  1. as in couch, bunk bed

    similar: bunk bed, cot, couch, daybed, four-poster, hammock, Murphy bed, shakedown, sleigh bed, sofa, sofa bed, studio couch, trundle bed, water bed, bunk, doss (chiefly British), hay (slang), kip, lair (British dialect), pad, rack, sack, bedstead, futon, mattress, pallet, bassinet, carry-cot (British), cradle, crib

Related Entry: Feather beds (noun)

Feather beds is a different word from Feather. The synonyms below are for feather beds, not for feather.

  1. as in couches, bunk beds

    similar: bunk beds, cots, couches, daybeds, four-posters, hammocks, Murphy beds, shakedowns, sleigh beds, sofa beds, sofas, studio couches, trundle beds, water beds, bunks, dosses (chiefly British), hays (slang), kips, lairs (British dialect), pads, racks, sacks, bedsteads, futons, mattresses, pallets, bassinets, carry-cots (British), cradles, cribs

Related Entry: A feather in one's cap (phrase)

A feather in one's cap is a different word from Feather. The synonyms below are for a feather in one's cap, not for feather.

  1. an asset that brings praise or renown

    "Breaking the story for her newspaper was a feather in her cap."

    similar: boast, credit, crown jewel, glory, honor, jewel, pride, treasure, trophy
    related: pièce de résistance, showpiece, attraction, feature, highlight, distinction, excellence, merit, value, virtue
    near: disgrace, dishonor, blemish, blot, defect, shame, slur, smirch, smudge, stain, stigma, eyesore, fright, horror, mess

  2. a successful result brought about by hard work

    "Winning the lawsuit for her client would be a significant feather in her cap."

    similar: accomplishment, achievement, acquirement, attainment, baby, coup, success, triumph
    related: blockbuster, hit, jackpot, megahit, miracle, smash, winner, conquest, gain, victory, win, skill, deed, feat, performance, arrival, completion, consummation, culmination, execution, fruition, fulfillment, implementation, realization
    opposite: nonachievement
    near: botch, cock-up (British), mess, muddle, shambles, bummer, bust, catastrophe, debacle, disaster, dud, failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, washout, disappointment, letdown, loss, setback

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Feather

The most common words with a similar meaning to Feather:

breed, class, description, genre, ilk, kidney, kind, like, manner, nature, order, sort, species, strain, stripe, type, variety, array, best, bravery, caparison, finery, frippery, full dress, gaiety, glad rags, regalia, cheer, humor, mode, mood, spirit, temper, best bib and tucker, frame of mind, pull, pole, punt, canoe, kayak

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Feather

Words with the opposite meaning of Feather:

blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil, simplify, streamline, bare, denude, dismantle, display, divest, expose, reveal, strip, uncover, uglify

Related Words for Feather

model, sample, specimen, bracket, bunch, category, division, family, grade, group, grouping, lot, persuasion, rank(s), set, suite, apparel, attire, costume, duds, habiliment(s), rags, raiment, rig, rigging, threads, toggery, togs, vestiary, vesture

Near Antonyms of Feather

tatters, disarray, dishabille

Word Forms of Feather

Inflections: feathered, feathering

Derived words: featherless (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Feather

Middle English fether, from Old English; akin to Old High German federa wing, Latin petere to go to, seek, Greek petesthai to fly, piptein to fall, pteron wing

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Feather

feather bed, feather one's nest, feather star, feather duster, a feather in one's cap, contour feather, flight feather

Frequently Asked Questions about Feather

What does "Feather" mean?

"Feather" means any of the light, horny epidermal outgrowths that form the external covering of the body of birds. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: any of the light, horny epidermal outgrowths that form the external covering of the body of birds. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Feather"?

Other words for "Feather" include breed, class, description, genre, ilk, kidney, kind and like. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Feather" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Feather"?

There are 171 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Feather". Common alternatives include breed, class, description, genre, ilk, kidney, kind, like, manner and nature.

What is the opposite of "Feather"?

Antonyms of "Feather" include blemish, deface, disfigure, mar, scar, spoil, simplify and streamline. Near antonyms include tatters, disarray and dishabille.

How do you use "Feather" in a sentence?

Examples of "Feather" in a sentence: "they are a very sports-minded couple, and most of their friends are of the same feather"; "prom couples strutted into the ballroom in full feather"; "you're in fine feather today".

Is "Feather" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Feather" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Feather"?

"Feather" is pronounced /ˈfe-t͟hər/ and divided into syllables as feath·er.

What is the origin of the word "Feather"?

"Feather" comes from Middle English fether, from Old English; akin to Old High German federa wing, Latin petere to go to, seek, Greek petesthai to fly, piptein to fall, pteron wing. First known use: before 12th century.