feathery

American  

[feth-uh-ree] / ˈfɛð ə ri /

adjective

1. clothed or covered with feathers; feathered. feather.

2. resembling feathers; light; airy; unsubstantial.

   feathery clouds.

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Other Word Forms

• featheriness noun

Etymology

Origin of feathery

First recorded in 1570–80; feather + -y ¹

Explanation

Things that are soft, light, and downy can be described as feathery. After you brush your dog, you'll find his feathery fur all over the house. Feathery things, from your sister's feathery hairdo to the feathery branches of the willow tree in your yard, look or feel like feathers. You can use this adjective for anything that resembles the light, fluffy down of a baby bird or the graceful plumage of a swan. Feathery comes from feather and its root meaning "to fly."

Example Sentences

The team found eight references to this thorny species, known as Vachellia leucophloea, which has feathery leaves, pale yellow bark, and white flowers.

From Science Daily • Feb. 1, 2026

After reaching for the stars in his first show for Chanel, new chief designer Matthieu Blazy took a feathery flight of fancy for his debut Haute Couture collection inspired by birds and nature on Tuesday.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

Even when Sinner tapped into his normally impenetrable return game, Alcaraz found more variety, mixing in feathery drop shots and flicking balls off his shoelaces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 7, 2025

Del Rey’s feathery croon was totally wrong for the song, which calls for an unembarrassed quality that’s not part of her whole deal.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2025

Their feathery roots were still wedged in the soil, like the exposed veins of a heart, their caps dangling lifelessly from the badger’s fist.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Related Words

• feathered
• fluffy