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

Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants, identifiable by white to gray powdery spots on plant surfaces. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025

Guests are also offered complimentary city treats, like hot, powdery beignets, served from a charming lobby cart each afternoon, and Jeremy Davenport croons jazz tunes four nights a week in his namesake lounge. —AFAR Media, 30 Dec. 2025

Most visitors end up staying along one of the powdery white beaches of the West End, particularly along Maundays Bay on the island's south shore, or the popular Meads Bay on the north shore. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025

Its blend of bergamot, jasmine, vanilla, and incense wears warm and enveloping without tipping into powdery territory. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2025

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