Meaning & use
blue feathers
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Meanings
phraseplural
Feathers that are blue in color, especially those from birds such as jays or bluebirds.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun phrase; the singular is 'blue feather'.
Patterns
- a blue feather
- the blue feathers of a bird
The jay's blue feathers flashed in the sunlight.
She collected blue feathers from the garden and kept them in a jar.
phrasepluralfigurative
A symbol of peace, truth, or spiritual protection in some Native American and New Age traditions.
Grammar: Often used with 'a' or 'the' when referring to the symbol as a single idea.
Patterns
- a symbol of blue feathers
- blue feathers represent something
In some traditions, blue feathers are seen as a sign of protection.
The dream catcher was decorated with blue feathers to bring calm.
Common combinations
- a blue feather
- He found a blue feather on the path.
- bright blue feathers
- The parrot had bright blue feathers on its wings.
- blue feathers of a jay
- The blue feathers of a jay are easy to spot.
Synonyms and how they differ
- azure plumage
- More literary and technical; refers to the whole set of blue feathers on a bird.
Word family
- bluebird noun
- A small North American bird with blue feathers.
Commonly confused: blue feathers or blue feather?
blue feathers vs blue feather
Singular form; use 'blue feathers' for more than one.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'blue feathers' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The plural 'feathers' agrees with 'has' and refers to multiple feathers. Option 1 is wrong because 'a' cannot precede a plural noun. Option 2 is wrong because 'feather' is singular. Option 3 uses 'feathering', which means the pattern of feathers, not the feathers themselves.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “blue feathers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.