Plumage is the layera single sheet or level that lies on top of something else of feathers that covers a bird’s body. It can also refer to the overall appearancethe way something looks to people or qualityhow good or bad something is of a bird’s feathers.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈpluːmɪdʒ/
Easy pronunciation: PLOO-mij (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress is on the first syllable.
Refers to a bird’s feathers.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Plumage Meaning
a bird’s feathers
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the feathers that cover a bird’s body
Example: The peacock spread its bright plumage in the sunlight.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- feather — Works as a close substitute in general discussion, though it is often used for one feather or feathers in general rather than the whole covering.
- plume — Can refer to feathers or a feathered covering, but it is less direct and more limited than plumage.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Plumage Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- feather
- plume
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using plumage to mean a single feather. It usually refers to the full feather covering of a bird, not one feather only.
- Treating plumage as a general word for any soft material or decoration. In normal usage, it is specifically about birds.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does plumage mean?
Plumage means the feathers that cover a bird’s body.
What is a simple synonym for plumage?
A simple synonym is feathers, though plumage usually refers to the bird’s full feather covering.
Is plumage the same as feather?
Not exactly. A feather is one part, while plumage usually means the full set of feathers on a bird.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
