downy

[dou-nee]

adjective

downier, downiest 

1. of the nature of or resembling down; fluffy; soft.

2. made of down.

3. covered with down.

4. soft; soothing.

downy

/ ˈdaʊnɪ /

adjective

1. covered with soft fine hair or feathers

2. light, soft, and fluffy

3. made from or filled with down

4. resembling downs; undulating

5. slang,  sharp-witted; knowing

Other Word Forms

• downily adverb
• downiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of downy¹

First recorded in 1540–50; down ² + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Only the quick rise of one delicate eyebrow, which then floated back down slowly, like a downy feather caught in the breeze, revealed her surprise at seeing them.

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They all watched as the downy tuft wafted hypnotically back and forth, back and forth, until it disappeared under the seat.

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It has been trying to restore the woodlands by introducing downy birch, sessile oak, hazel, willow, aspen and alder as well as endangered tree species such as Arran whitebeam.

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His earliest memories of fabric were totally sensory, he said, recalling the downy feel of a jamawar shawl at home in Srinagar and the soft warmth of his mother's shahtoosh saris.

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In warm weather, it’s alive with nuthatches, chickadees, sometimes a downy woodpecker.

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