powdery

adjective

pow·​dery ˈpau̇-də-rē 

1

a

: resembling or consisting of powder

powdery snow

b

: easily reduced to powder : crumbling

2

: covered with or as if with powder

Synonyms of powdery

• dusty
• fine

Examples of powdery in a Sentence

the beach's powdery white sand

We skied down the powdery slopes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Check whether the leather is powdery, flaking, cracking, unusually stiff, or transferring color onto a clean white cloth. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 17 Aug. 2026

Good Girl Blush does is a slightly softer, more powdery iteration of the original perfume. — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026

Powdery mildew appears to be a fine white powdery coat on squash leaves, tomato leaves, pumpkin leaves, etc. — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

Jade Mountain is the choice for lush mountains, waterfalls, hiking and a more adventurous landscape, but couples expecting the powdery white sand of Turks and Caicos need to understand the difference. — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing powdery

• powdery mildew

Kids Definition

powdery

adjective

pow·​dery ˈpau̇d-ə-rē 

1

a

: resembling or consisting of powder

b

: easily made into a powder : crumbly

2

: covered with or as if with powder : dusty