plumage

[ ploo-mij ]

/ ˈplu mɪdʒ /

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See synonyms for plumage on Thesaurus.com

noun

the entire feathery covering of a bird.

feathers collectively.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of plumage

1375–1425; late Middle English <Middle French. See plume, -age

OTHER WORDS FROM plumage

plumaged, adjective

Words nearby plumage

plughole, plug-in, plugola, plugugly, plum, plumage, plumate, plumb, plumbaginaceous, plumbaginous, plumbago

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use plumage in a sentence

When it’s time to impress a potential mate, many birds rely on their eye-popping plumage.
This 120-million-year-old bird may have been one of the first to shake its tail feathers|Kate Baggaley|September 17, 2021|Popular-Science
To begin investigating why some female jacobins have colorful blue plumage, Falk and colleagues captured and released over 400 of the birds in Gamboa, Panama, using genetics to determine their sex.
Female hummingbirds may sport flashy feathers to avoid being harassed|Carolyn Wilke|August 26, 2021|Science News
If iridescent feathers lose heat as quickly as they acquire it, the sunbirds could use shade to cool off, blunting the effect of the hot plumage.
Sunbirds’ dazzling feathers are hot, in both senses of the word|Jake Buehler|August 17, 2021|Science News
Other experts have suggested that external factors, such as a poor diet or harsh climate, could ultimately affect the quality and color of their plumage.
4 unexpected facts about the Northern cardinal, a bird you should know better|Purbita Saha|July 26, 2021|Popular-Science

A patch of three oddly short feathers spotted among the fossilized plumage of Microraptor may be the first evidence of a nonbird dinosaur molting.
This dinosaur may have shed its feathers like modern songbirds|Carolyn Gramling|July 16, 2020|Science News
Every sort of pelt, skin, or plumage was part of this collection.
Milan Fashion Week’s Big Finale: Versace and Dolce & Gabbana Wow, While Armani Falls Short|Robin Givhan|February 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Cowell of yesteryear has plenty of time to return in all his plumage.
Ellen's First Night|Richard Rushfield|February 9, 2010|DAILY BEAST
She adds that it was an adult male in full plumage, and that she saw it herself at Mr. Couch's shop.
Birds of Guernsey (1879)|Cecil Smith
The two dead ones he brought me were one in red and the other in green plumage, and the live one was in green plumage.
Birds of Guernsey (1879)|Cecil Smith
It was, however, still in the same green plumage when it was killed as it was when I brought it home, though it had moulted twice.
Birds of Guernsey (1879)|Cecil Smith
I have, however, a Redshank in full breeding plumage, killed in Guernsey as late as the 23rd of April.
Birds of Guernsey (1879)|Cecil Smith
There are two specimens in the Museum—a male in full plumage and a female or young male.
Birds of Guernsey (1879)|Cecil Smith

British Dictionary definitions for plumage

plumage

/ (ˈpluːmɪdʒ) /

noun

the layer of feathers covering the body of a bird

Word Origin for plumage

C15: from Old French, from plume feather, from Latin plūma down

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