dusty

adjective

ˈdə-stē How to pronounce dusty (audio)
dustier; dustiest
Synonyms of dustynext
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 How to pronounce dusty (audio)
adverb
dustiness
ˈdə-stē-nəs How to pronounce dusty (audio)
noun

Synonyms of dusty

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Let’s solve this Wordle and hit the not-so-dusty road! — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 Two people lifted the box’s lid, revealing a pile of dusty items. — Rylan Digiacomo-Rapp, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026 If your home's air feels dusty or less than fresh, check out this air purifier that more than 3,000 shoppers picked up in the past month. — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 All 182 guest rooms were given a fresh coat of dusty rose paint, new custom carpet, furniture and upgraded bathrooms. — Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dusty

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dusty was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing dusty

Rhymes for dusty

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Browse Nearby Words

dust wrapper
dusty
dusty aqua
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Cite this Entry

“Dusty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dusty. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dusty

adjective
ˈdəs-tē How to pronounce dusty (audio)
dustier; dustiest
1
: filled or covered with dust
2
: resembling dust
dusty soil
dustily
-tə-lē How to pronounce dusty (audio)
adverb
dustiness
-tē-nəs How to pronounce dusty (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dusty

Nglish: Translation of dusty for Spanish Speakers

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