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

Video of the remarkable rescue filmed by Osorio shows the tiny infant in a dusty bodysuit being carefully pulled out of the wreckage. — Rocio Munoz, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Others were more barren, with dusty volcanic rocks and jagged cliffs surrounding secluded turquoise coves. — Annie Daly, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026

With their dusty color palettes and retro shapes, these floral print shirts look most elegant when paired with straight-leg jeans or trousers. — Melisa Vargas, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2026

Corlys finds the rogue prince among Tumbleton’s dusty alleys and informs him that Ulf has turned — that the town has been lost to dragonfire while the realm watched. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 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