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Synonyms

feathers

British  
/ ˈfɛðəz /

plural noun

  1. the plumage of a bird

  2. Also called: feathering.  the long hair on the legs or tail of certain breeds of horses and dogs

  3. informal dress; attire

    her best feathers

  4. to cause upset or offence

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was a night when Newcastle ruffled one or two feathers.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

This iron has preserved plants, insects, spiders, fish, and even feathers with remarkable clarity.

From Science Daily • Apr. 23, 2026

White likewise plays down the impact of forays into local politics by fellow US ambassadors that have ruffled feathers in France, Poland and elsewhere.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

“They’re big and colorful, and they screech and eat things. Some have feathers and claws. It’s just so extravagant and fun. Take the Dilophosaurus in ‘Jurassic Park.’

From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026

Slipping into feathers and wings and becoming an owl was little different.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.