dusty

1 of 2

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

dustiness

2 of 2

noun

dust·​i·​ness -tēnə̇s 

-tin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being dusty

Synonyms of dusty

Adjective

• fine
• powdery

Examples of dusty in a Sentence

Adjective

He pulled dusty candlesticks from the shelf.

His new tie is a dusty blue.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Sedum nussbaumerianum The Coppertone Stonecrop gets its name from the dusty copper color its leaves turn when exposed to sunlight. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026

The dry, dusty air can also help limit some storm development by creating a more stable atmosphere. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 14 July 2026

Plans for low volume road-car production were curtailed by Bruce’s untimely death while testing at Goodwood in 1970, and the original has been something of a dusty footnote until now. — Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 13 July 2026

Their trajectories have diverged and sometimes overlapped in the 125 years since their forebears moved through the same dusty streets on one November day. — CBS News, 12 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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