feathery

American  

[feth-uh-ree] / ˈfɛð ə ri /

adjective

1. clothed or covered with feathers.

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

Asics’ new Metaspeed Ray model, for instance, weighs in at a feathery 4.55 ounces.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

McManus suggested that people’s love for their furry, feathery or scaly companions transcends party lines.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

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

There’s a picture, framed in light gray, of Cordelia’s two older sisters, done in pastels when they were younger, both wearing smocked dresses, their hair feathery, their eyes like mist.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

• feathered
• fluffy