dust

1 of 2

noun

ˈdəst 

1

: fine particles of matter (as of earth)

2

: the particles into which something disintegrates

3

a

: something worthless

b

: a state of humiliation

4

a

: the earth especially as a place of burial

b

: the surface of the ground

5

a

: a cloud of dust

b

: confusion, disturbance

6

archaic : a single particle (as of earth)

7

British : refuse ready for collection

dustless

ˈdəst-ləs 

adjective

dustlike

ˈdəst-ˌlīk 

adjective

dust

2 of 2

verb

dusted; dusting; dusts

transitive verb

1

archaic : to make dusty

2

: to make free of dust

dust the living room

3

a

: to sprinkle with fine particles

a cake dusted with sugar

b

: to sprinkle in the form of dust

4

: to throw a fastball close to (a batter) : brush back

—often used with off

5

: to defeat badly (as in a race)

intransitive verb

1

of a bird : to work dust into the feathers

2

: to remove dust

3

: to give off dust

Synonyms of dust

Noun

• debris
• garbage
• trash
• rubbish
• junk
• rubble

Verb

• smoke
• bury
• overcome
• bomb
• whip
• throw
• skin
• cream
• upset
• wax
• master
• paste
• blow away
• smother
• flatten
• annihilate
• top
• beat
• rout
• trim
• thrash
• overwhelm
• sweep

Examples of dust in a Sentence

Noun

The floor was covered with dust.

You can see the dust particles floating through the air.

There is not a speck of dust in that house.

As the car sped down the dirt road, it left a cloud of dust behind.

He wiped the chalk dust off his hands.

Verb

I dust at least once a week.

Dust the pan with flour.

The crops will be dusted with pesticide.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The impending impact, scientists say, offers a chance to analyze the crater and plume of dust stretching several miles above the surface. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 30 July 2026

District officials say classrooms are safe, touting intensive cleaning, air and dust testing, new high-grade filters and the possibility of indoor-only schedules. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Verb

For daily cleaning, marble floors should be dusted and dry-wiped. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 31 July 2026

Think of biting into a chili lime mango slice dusted with Tajín or sipping a mangonada layered with chamoy. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English dūst; akin to Old High German tunst storm, and probably to Latin fumus smoke — more at fume

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing dust

• angel dust
• as soon as the dust settles
• bite the dust
• cosmic dust
• dust bowl
• dust bunny
• dust devil
• dust jacket
• dust mite
• dust mop
• dust off
• dust oneself down
• dust oneself off
• dust sheet
• dust storm
• dust wrapper
• eat dust
• Eat my dust!
• house dust mite
• kick up dust
• leave (someone) in the dust
• let the dust settle
• the dust settles
• When the dust settled

Rhymes for dust

• bused
• bust
• crust
• cussed
• fussed
• fust
• gust
• just
• lust
• maist
• mussed
• must

Kids Definition

dust

1 of 2 noun

ˈdəst 

1

a

: fine dry powdery particles (as of earth)

b

: a fine powder

2

: the powdery remains of bodies once alive

3

: something worthless

4

: the surface of the ground

dust

2 of 2 verb

1

: to make free of dust : brush or wipe away dust

dusted the living room

2

: to sprinkle with dust or as a dust

dust a pan with flour

dust insecticide on plants