plume

A long cloud of smoke, dust, or another substance that rises or spreads out.

• A dark plume rose from the fire.
• The trucks left plumes of dust behind them.
• We could see a plume of ash above the volcano.

How to use it: a plume of something (A plume of smoke rose from the chimney.)

Similar words: cloud

Common phrases: plume of smoke, plume of dust, ash plume

A long, large feather on a bird.

• The bird has a long white plume.
• A single plume fell from its tail.
• The male displays his colourful plumes to attract a mate.

Similar words: feather

Common phrases: ostrich plume, white plume, long plume

A feather or group of feathers used to decorate a hat, helmet, or clothing.

• Her hat had a red plume.
• The soldiers wore helmets with tall plumes.
• A white plume decorated his ceremonial cap.

Similar words: feather decoration

Common phrases: feather plume, helmet plume, plume on something

A tall spray of water or fine drops rising into the air.

• A plume of water shot upwards.
• The fountain sent up graceful plumes of mist.
• We watched a huge plume rise as the wave struck the rocks.

How to use it: a plume of something (A plume of water rose above the fountain.)

Similar words: spray, jet

Common phrases: plume of water, plume of mist, rising plume

A stream of very hot material rising from deep inside the Earth.

• A mantle plume rises beneath the island.
• Scientists studied the plume’s effect on the crust.
• The volcano may be fed by a deep mantle plume.

Similar words: mantle upwelling

Common phrases: mantle plume, hot plume, volcanic plume

For smoke, dust, or similar material, to rise or spread out in a long cloud.

• Smoke began to plume above the trees.
• Dust plumed behind the speeding car.
• Steam was pluming into the cold morning air.

How to use it: plume from something (Smoke plumed from the factory chimney.)

Similar words: billow

Common phrases: smoke plume, plume from something, plume into something

To decorate something with a feather or a group of feathers.

• They plume the hats with white feathers.
• The designer plumed her headdress for the parade.
• Each helmet was plumed with a bright red crest.

Common phrases: plume a hat, plume a helmet

To feel very pleased with yourself, often for a small achievement or something you did not really do.

• She plumes herself on her excellent taste.
• He plumed himself on a success that others had earned.
• They plumed themselves on knowing the mayor.

How to use it: plume oneself on something (He plumed himself on his clever reply.)

Similar words: pride oneself, congratulate oneself

Common phrases: plume oneself, plume oneself on something