downy

adjective

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\ ˈdau̇-nē

downier; downiest

Definition of downy

1 : resembling a bird's down

2 : covered with down

3 : made of down

4 : soft, soothing

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About downy

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Examples of downy in a Sentence

the downy surface of a ripe peach

Recent Examples on the Web Indeed, less than an hour after the cicadas have begun their crawl up the big maple, a pair of downy woodpeckers, several tree sparrows, and a crow swoop in and start to feast on the smorgasbord. — Eric Niiler, Wired, 21 May 2021 The images are a crisp black-and-white, each downy strand of fuzz on each piglet rendered hyper-real and sharp. — BostonGlobe.com, 5 May 2021 Both the distal tips and the quills at the base are typically overwrapped during the weaving process, with the downy portions exposed. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 Nov. 2020 Other North American woodpeckers that cache are downy, red-headed, hairy, Lewis, red-bellied, gila, golden-fronted and red-bellied sapsucker. — Jim Williams, Star Tribune, 24 Nov. 2020 Mandeville also teaches them to spot the species of birds in their trees -- from downy woodpeckers to western bluebirds. — Amy Chillag, CNN, 18 Nov. 2020 Once an owl has honed in on a victim, the downy feathers on its wings and legs enable it to swoop down without making a sound and grab the animal with strong talons. — National Geographic, 31 Oct. 2020 Both vulture species usually lay a clutch of two eggs, with downy hatchlings that look nothing like their parents. — René A. Guzman, ExpressNews.com, 22 Sep. 2020 Available in more than 20 sizes and colors, the ultra-plush piece has a downy 2-inch pile that will automatically add a dose of cozy to any room. — Courtney Thompson, CNN Underscored, 21 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'downy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.