feather
gb/fˈɛðɚ/ us/fˈɛðɚ/
A2
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
A bird's body covering part
A light, soft part that grows from a bird's skin and covers its body.
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] feather
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'feather' with 'fur' or 'hair', but 'feathers' are only on birds.
Synonyms
plume (Often refers to a large or decorative feather, especially for display.)
Antonyms
fur (Refers to the soft hair covering mammals, not birds.)
Collocations
white feather
|loose feather
|feather pillow
|feather pattern
|feather coat
Themes
nature
|animals
|biology
Examples
- The peacock's tail is covered in colorful feathers.
- A small feather drifted down from the bird's wing.
- She found a feather on the forest path.
- The eagle's feathers are strong yet lightweight.
Learner examples
- The bird has blue feathers.
- I saw a feather on the ground.
- This feather is very soft.
- The chicken lost a small feather.
Verb
technical
C1
action
2
Turn propeller blades to reduce drag
To turn the blades of a plane's propeller so that they face the wind and slow the plane less when the engine stops.
Usage pattern:
to feather [propeller/blades]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with literal feathers from birds; in aviation, it is a technical action involving propellers.
Synonyms
adjust (General term for changing position; not specific to aviation.)
Antonyms
unfeather (Technical opposite — to return blades to their normal operating position.)
Collocations
feather the propeller
|propeller feathering system
|engine feathering
Themes
aviation
|technology
|travel
|transportation
Examples
- The pilot had to feather the propeller after the engine failed.
- Feathering the blades reduced drag and helped maintain control.
- In case of engine trouble, remember to feather quickly.
Learner examples
- The pilot will feather the propeller.
- They feathered the blades after the engine stopped.
- He knows how to feather in an emergency.
Verb
B2
action
3
Blend or smooth edges
To make the edge of something soft and smooth so it mixes into another area without a hard line.
Usage pattern:
to feather [edge/line] into [surface/color]
Common mistake:
Learners may think it means adding bird feathers; here it means smoothing or blending edges in art/design.
Synonyms
blend (General term for mixing smoothly; 'feather' often used in visual or tactile contexts.)
Antonyms
sharpen (To make an edge more defined, the opposite of blending or softening.)
Collocations
feather the edges
|feather into background
|feather brush tool
Themes
art
|design
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The artist feathered the paint into the background.
- Use this tool to feather the photo edges for a softer look.
- She feathered the makeup around her eyes.
Learner examples
- Feather the color into the wall.
- He will feather the edges of the photo.
- I can feather this line so it is soft.
Grammar
Dictionary form
feather
IPA
GB/fˈɛðɚ/
US/fˈɛðɚ/
Syllables & stress
feath - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (feath)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: feather
- Plural: feathers
Verb
- Base: feather
- 3rd Person Singular: feathers
- Present Participle: feathering
- Past: feathered
Word family
Forms
feathers
noun
feathering
verb
feathered
verb
Core family
feathery
adjective
Related words
down
noun A1
quill
noun
Negative and opposite forms
featherless
adjective
Expressions
birds of a feather (flock together)
1/bˈɚdz əv ə fˈɛðɚ flˈɑk təɡˈɛðɚ/
idiom
Similar people stay together
People who are alike often spend time together.
Examples
- Those two are always together—birds of a feather!
- Birds of a feather flock together, as they say.
feather one's nest
1/fˈɛðɚ wˈʌnz nˈɛst/
idiom
Gain personal profit dishonestly
To get money or benefit for yourself, often in a dishonest way, while working or having power.
Examples
- The corrupt official was accused of feathering his own nest.
- He spent years feathering his nest at the company's expense.
light as a feather
1/lˈaɪt ˈæz ə fˈɛðɚ/
idiom
Extremely light in weight
Very, very light; almost no weight.
Examples
- This scarf is light as a feather.
- The baby bird felt light as a feather in her hands.
ruffle someone's feathers
1/ɹˈʌfəl sˈʌmwˌʌnz fˈɛðɚz/
idiom
informal
Annoy or upset someone slightly
To do something that makes someone feel annoyed or upset.
Examples
- His comments really ruffled her feathers.
- Try not to ruffle anyone's feathers during the meeting.
white feather
1/wˈaɪt fˈɛðɚ/
fixed phrase
Symbol of cowardice (UK historical)
A white feather given as a sign that someone is a coward, especially in British history during wartime.
Examples
- In World War I, some women gave white feathers to young men not in uniform.
- Receiving a white feather was considered an insult.