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 of dusty

• fine
• 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

Breathlessly Eva, 41, runs up and down the dusty stairs in a bright yellow raincoat, exposing the real estate investor’s schemes, rallying her neighbors, fighting with her husband, wondering what went wrong. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026

The popular set tends to sell quickly, so consider grabbing one while fall-favorite shades like dusty olive, terracotta, and mauve are still in stock. — Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026

The wind is whistling through an enormous, dusty construction site, surrounded by highways, office towers and a sports arena. — Maria Aspan, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026

The two-toned onigiri is a dusty mauve on one side and pearly white on the other. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dusty

• dusty miller

Rhymes for dusty

• crusty
• gusty
• lusty
• musty
• rusty
• trusty

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