dusty

adjective

ˈdə-stē 

dustier; dustiest

1

: covered or abounding with dust

2

: consisting of dust : powdery

3

: resembling dust

4

: lacking vitality : dry

dusty scholarship

5

British : unsatisfactory

—used especially in the phrases dusty answer and not so dusty

dustily

ˈdə-stə-lē 

adverb

dustiness

ˈdə-stē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• fine
• floury
• powdery

Examples of dusty in a Sentence

He pulled dusty candlesticks from the shelf.

His new tie is a dusty blue.

Recent Examples on the Web

And then came the most fortuitous discovery—not in the lab and not in the wild, but in the back of a dusty cupboard at the Melbourne Museum. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Gomez and her boyfriend, producer Benny Blanco, chose a classic couples' costume for their weekend celebration, with Gomez looking prim and proper in a blonde wig and dusty blue Rodarte gown to play the role of Alice. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 28 Oct. 2024

Inside, the family sit up against the wall on dusty old blankets and cushions, their possessions piled into one corner. —Freddie Clayton, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2024

Within 30 minutes of use, the dust particulates were noticeably gone from the previously dusty space. —Camryn Rabideau, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dusty

• dusty miller

Kids Definition

dusty

adjective

ˈdəs-tē 

dustier; dustiest

1

: filled or covered with dust

2

: resembling dust

dusty soil

dustily

-tə-lē 

adverb

dustiness

-tē-nəs 

noun