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

Choose from more than 20 colors, including dusty pink, fall-ready forest green, and classic cream. — Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2026

The arc could be, for instance, a chance alignment of unrelated stars, the product of gravitational lensing from a background galaxy, or a dusty region that happens to mimic a stream's shape. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026

The living room was small and dusty with a stone fireplace and mismatched furniture that reminded me of my own place. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026

As the years pass, the children start learning to play the dusty piano that had been neglected in their abundant lives. — Solitaire Townsend, Forbes.com, 23 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