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

• fine
• floury
• 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

But so many younger residents have left this dusty town for Europe, its nickname has stuck. —Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Sep. 2024

The color palette is centered around neutral tones such as black, white, beige, and navy, while adding a subtle pop of color with a dusty rose hue for certain pieces. —Ty Gaskins, WWD, 19 Sep. 2024

The effort to save Blackwell became a rallying point for a community that has gone from dusty desert outpost to trendy arts community, population 1,725. —Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 18 Sep. 2024

Only when Cassini probed the atmosphere with radar in 2004 did scientists discover an eerily Earth-like landscape underneath the dusty shroud. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dusty

• dusty miller

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