downy
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Sharp-witted, perceptive.
Register: dated, slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The right hon. Gentleman has much more claim to the adjective downy than I have, but he really cannot catch me with that one.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “downy” mean?
Sharp-witted, perceptive.
Is “downy” formal or informal?
downy is generally dated, slang.