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

Mailed packages containing a powdery substance led to the evacuation this week of election offices in at least two states, Louisiana and Oklahoma. — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Officials say some of the mailings contained a powdery white substance. — Eric McDaniel, NPR, 15 Oct. 2026

The storm made landfall Friday near Destin, Florida, a Gulf Coast area known for powdery white-sand beaches and dotted with vacation homes, waterfront bars, and seafood shacks. — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026

The low-lying coastal area is known for its powdery white sand beaches dotted with vacation homes, waterfront bars and seafood shacks. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026

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