# feather

/ˈfɛðɝ/ (US) · /fˈɛðɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/feather
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. on a bird

noun · CEFR A2

one of the soft, light things that cover a bird's body.

For teachers: one of the light, horny epidermal outgrowths that form the external covering or plumage of birds.

- The child found a bright blue feather on the grass near the pond.
- The biologist examined the microscopic structure of the feather to determine how it repelled water so effectively during the bird's dives.

### 2. kind or type

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a type or kind of person, usually used in the phrase 'birds of a feather'.

For teachers: nature, character, or kind; almost exclusively used in the idiomatic expression 'birds of a feather'.

- Those two are birds of a feather; they both love old books.
- It was clear from their shared enthusiasm for the project that the two engineers were birds of a feather.

### 3. to touch lightly

verb · CEFR B2

to touch something very gently or lightly.

For teachers: to touch, move, or apply something with a very light, delicate motion.

- She feathered the brake pedal to slow the car down gently.
- The artist feathered the edges of the paint to create a soft transition between the sky and the mountains.

### 4. rowing or aviation

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to turn an oar or a propeller blade so it moves through the air more easily.

For teachers: to rotate an oar or propeller blade to an angle that minimizes air or water resistance.

- The pilot had to feather the propeller after the engine failed.
- By feathering the oars at the end of each stroke, the rowing crew significantly reduced the drag caused by the headwind.

### 5. digital editing

verb · CEFR B2 · Technical

to make the edges of a digital picture look soft or blurry so it blends in.

For teachers: to soften the edges of a digital selection or image by blending pixels with the background.

- You should feather the edges of the photo so it doesn't look like a sticker.
- The graphic designer used a ten-pixel radius to feather the selection, ensuring the composite image looked natural against the new backdrop.

## Examples

- The bird lost a small white feather while flying.
- The pillow is filled with soft duck feathers to make it more comfortable for sleeping.
- Archaeologists discovered fossilised remains that suggest some dinosaur species possessed primitive feathers, likely used for insulation or display rather than powered flight.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.