Definition

The soft, fluffy material that comes from the seeds of a thistle plant, which helps the seeds to float in the air.

Example

In the autumn, the garden was filled with thistledown drifting through the breeze.

Conversation

Have you ever seen thistledown floating in the air?

Yeah, it's so light and fluffy!

I love how it dances in the breeze.

It's like nature's own little cotton candy!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Thistledown is formed from "thistle" (from Old English *þistel*, meaning a prickly plant) and "down" (from Old English *dūn*, meaning soft, fine hair or fluff). The word refers to the soft, fluffy seeds of the thistle plant.

Memory Tip

Think of the prickly plant 'thistle' and its soft, fluffy 'down' — that's why thistledown refers to the soft seeds of the thistle.

Visually Confused Words