English vocabulary · B2
Plumage
/ˈpluːmɪdʒ/ · n.
Plumage means all the feathers that cover a bird. They give the bird color, warmth, and protection.
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Example sentences
- The peacock displayed its bright plumage.
- Winter birds grow thicker plumage.
Word origin and roots
from Middle French
- plume — feather (from Middle French)
Synonyms and nuances
- FEATHERING — all feathers on a bird (Feathers Together)
- COAT — a covering over an animal (Outer Cover)
- PLUMES — large beautiful feathers (Showy Feathers)
Words with the same root
plume — feather
- plume — a large feather
Lesson notes
Plumage means all the feathers that cover a bird. They give the bird color, warmth, and protection.
Related: feathering, coat, plumes. Use plumage when talking about all the feathers covering one bird.
The peacock displayed its bright plumage. Winter birds grow thicker plumage.
From Middle French. Plume means feather. Plume became plumage. One feather joined many others to make a bird's full coat.