downy

American  

[dou-nee] / ˈdaʊ ni /

adjective

downier, downiest

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

2. made of down.

3. covered with down.

4. soft; soothing.

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downy British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• downily adverb
• downiness noun

Etymology

Origin of downy

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

Example Sentences

He felt Wolf’s breath on his face; then the downy brush of the cub’s whiskers on his eyelids, and the needle-fine grooming-nibbles on his cheeks and throat.

From Literature

A nose peeked out—a tiny pink nose—and then two slanted-closed eyes, a forehead covered in downy fuzz, little ears still curled tight against its head.

From Literature

Countless tufts of floaty fluff drifted in the air and water around me like downy little showers of blessing.

From Literature

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.

From Literature

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

From Literature