featherbrain

[ feth-er-breyn ]

noun

1. a foolish or giddy person; scatterbrain.

featherbrain

/ ˈfɛðəˌbreɪn /

noun

1. a frivolous or forgetful person

Derived Forms

• ˈfeatherˌbrained, adjective

Other Words From

• feather·brained adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of featherbrain¹

First recorded in 1830–40; feather + brain

Example Sentences

I prayed he didn’t tell Karl and Perilee what a featherbrain their new neighbor was.

From Literature

“And look! There’s one of Sis Crow’s nephews. That featherbrain owes Gum Baby some money.”

From Literature

Insults used include “nincompoop,” “nitwit,” “sap,” “fool” and “featherbrain.”

From Washington Post

Paul tried desperately to translate and the driver resisted taking advice from a Slip of a Lass or whatever the French is for Slip of a Lass, I’m sure the direct translation in any language is more or less “Featherbrain,” as it’s what I get called whenever I’m expected not to be able to do whatever it is—fly a plane, load a gun, make a bomb—fix a car—so we lost fifteen minutes arguing.

From Literature

“It’s not headless—it’s a white cow with a black head, you little featherbrain!”

From Literature