powdery

adjective

pow·​dery ˈpau̇-də-rē 

1

a

: resembling or consisting of powder

powdery snow

b

: easily reduced to powder : crumbling

2

: covered with or as if with powder

Synonyms of powdery

• dusty
• fine

Examples of powdery in a Sentence

the beach's powdery white sand

We skied down the powdery slopes.

Recent Examples on the Web

This will dilute the salts and can remove the powdery residue. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026

The powdery fine sands and shallow waters of the beaches on Anegada's north coast are the best in the British Virgin Islands. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026

Think sheer musks, feather-light ambers, and powdery florals—these are what make up the newest crop of skin scents. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026

Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants, identifiable by white to gray powdery spots on plant surfaces. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing powdery

• powdery mildew

Kids Definition

powdery

adjective

pow·​dery ˈpau̇d-ə-rē 

1

a

: resembling or consisting of powder

b

: easily made into a powder : crumbly

2

: covered with or as if with powder : dusty