plumy
plumy
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for plumy is /ˈpluːmi/.
plu - /pluː/
my - /mi/
Word Form Variations
Adjective
Positive: plumy
Comparative: plumier
Superlative: plumiest
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Resembling or characteristic of a plume (a feather), especially one that is large, soft, or fluffy.
Synonyms: feathery, plumelike, downy, fluffy, wispy
Antonyms: bare, smooth, unadorned, thin
Covered or decorated with plumes or feathers.
Synonyms: plumed, feathered, adorned
Antonyms: bald, plain, unadorned
Examples of Use
In Literature
Describing an animal: "The golden retriever waits, 'his tail a plumy metronome.'" (The Washington Post)
Describing a person's appearance: "They dispersed about the room, reminding me, by the lightness and buoyancy of their movements, of a flock of white plumy birds." (Charlotte Brontë, Villette)
Describing hair or attire: "It was a painful operation, for his thatch was a stubborn mat of crisp waves and knotty tangles to his plumy tail and down to his feathered toes." (Eleanor Atkinson, Greyfriars Bobby)
Describing plants: "I sat in the garden admiring the plumy heads of the flowers." (Cambridge Dictionary)
In News and Online Publications
Describing smoke or vapor: "A volcano erupted, sending a plumy column of ash and smoke thousands of feet into the air."
Describing fashion or costume: "The carnival dancers were adorned with massive, plumy headdresses that swayed as they moved."
Describing food presentation: "The chef finished the dessert with a plumy tuft of spun sugar."
In Entertainment and Media
In a documentary: A nature documentary narrator might describe a bird's courtship display, saying, "The male fans out his plumy tail feathers to attract a mate."
In a fantasy film: A character's dialogue might describe a magical effect: "When the potion shattered, it released a plumy, violet gas that hung in the air."
In a video game: The description of an armor set might read, "Includes the Royal Knight's Helm, notable for its distinctive plumy crest."
In General Public Discourse
On social media: A user posting a picture of their pet might write, "My cat has the most majestic, plumy tail I've ever seen!"
In casual conversation: "I saw a huge, plumy cloud of smoke coming from downtown on my way to work."
In a hobbyist forum: A gardening enthusiast might ask, "What's the best way to care for pampas grass? I want to get those big, plumy seed heads this year."
10 Famous Quotes Using Plumy
They dispersed about the room, reminding me, by the lightness and buoyancy of their movements, of a flock of white plumy birds. (Charlotte Brontë, Villette)
Before the flashing tail of a comet, fire-birds fly, with plumy crests. (Rabindranath Tagore, Fireflies)
She wore a plumy hat and affected a quavering voice. (Willa Cather, O Pioneers!)
It was a painful operation, for his thatch was a stubborn mat of crisp waves and knotty tangles to his plumy tail and down to his feathered toes. (Eleanor Atkinson, Greyfriars Bobby)
...a great plumy fan, which she held up screening her face. (Kate Chopin, The Awakening)
The golden retriever waits, “his tail a plumy metronome.” (The Washington Post)
A squirrel dashed across the road, plumy tail bouncing behind it, and went up a tree.
The pampas grass lined the driveway, waving its tall, plumy heads in the autumn breeze.
From the valley, we could see the plumy column of smoke rising from the volcano's peak.
The royal guard was unmistakable, each soldier wearing a silver helmet topped with a plumy crimson crest.
Etymology
The word plumy is a straightforward combination of two parts:
The noun "plume"
The suffix "-y"
A "plume" is a feather, especially one that is large, soft, and fluffy (like the tail feather of a peacock, a tuft on a knight's helmet, or even the shape of a column of smoke).
The suffix "-y" is a common ending in English that we add to nouns to turn them into adjectives. It simply means "full of," "covered in," or "resembling." (For example, fluff becomes fluffy, and salt becomes salty).
So, when you put them together, "plumy" literally just means "like a plume," "covered in plumes," or "feathery."
The first known use of "plumy" in English was in the late 16th century (around 1575–1585). When it first appeared, it meant exactly what it means today: "adorned with feathers" or "resembling a feather."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Plumy
The word plumy is almost exclusively used as a literal description, so it does not appear in common, fixed idioms. The following list includes common descriptive phrases (collocations) using the word, as well as idioms that use its synonyms for a similar effect.
Phrases Using "Plumy"
A plumy tail: Used to describe the full, feathery tail of an animal like a squirrel, fox, or certain breeds of dogs and cats.
A plumy crest: Referring to the tuft of prominent feathers on a bird's head (like a cockatoo or cardinal).
A plumy plume (of smoke/steam): A common way to describe a column of smoke, ash, or steam as it rises and spreads out in a soft, feathery shape.
Plumy foliage: Describing plants, like pampas grass or ferns, that have soft, airy, or feather-like leaves.
A plumy fan: A fan made of large, soft feathers, often used in performance or as an accessory.
Plumy clouds: A poetic way to describe clouds that are wispy, light, and feathery.
Idioms With Synonyms (for similar effect)
As soft as down (or "downy feathers"): An idiom meaning extremely soft, gentle, or delicate to the touch.
Light as a feather: A very common idiom used to describe something that is surprisingly lightweight or has no substance.
A feather in one's cap: An idiom meaning an achievement or honor that one can be proud of.
(To) feather one's nest: A negative idiom meaning to use one's position or power to dishonestly gain money or advantages for oneself.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of plumy from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
