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Definition of “dusting”

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Word Frequency

Word Frequency of dusting

dusting (ˈdʌstɪŋ) 

Definitions

noun

  1. the activity of removing dust from something, especially by wiping it with a cloth ⇒ I hate dusting!
  2. a thin layer ⇒ a light dusting of grey on his hair

dust (dʌst Pronunciation for dust ) 

Definitions

noun

  1. dry fine powdery material, such as particles of dirt, earth or pollen
  2. a cloud of such fine particles
  3. the powdery particles to which something is thought to be reduced by death, decay, or disintegration
    1. the mortal body of man
    2. the corpse of a dead person
  5. the earth; ground
  6. (informal) a disturbance; fuss (esp in the phrases kick up a dust, raise a dust)
  7. something of little or no worth
  8. (informal) (in mining parlance) silicosis or any similar respiratory disease
  9. short for gold dust
  10. ashes or household refuse

  11. See bite the dust

  12. See dust and ashes

  13. See leave someone or something in the dust

  14. See shake the dust off one's feet

  15. See throw dust in the eyes of

verb

  1. tr to sprinkle or cover (something) with (dust or some other powdery substance) ⇒ to dust a cake with sugar, to dust sugar onto a cake
  2. to remove dust by wiping, sweeping, or brushing
  3. (archaic) to make or become dirty with dust

See also

dust down, dust-up

Derived Forms

ˈdustless adjective

Word Origin

Old English dūst; related to Danish dyst flour dust, Middle Dutch dūst dust, meal dust, Old High German tunst storm

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= grime, grit, powdery dirt
= earth, ground, soil, dirt, clay
= particles, powder, soot, smut, fine fragments
= remove dust from, clean, sweep, brush, wipe, mop
= sprinkle, cover, powder, spread, spray, scatter, sift, dredge

Example Sentences Including 'dusting'

At other times they would show off, dusting themselves with clouds of dirt or wrenching over stout trees.
Blashford-Snell, John Something Lost Behind the Ranges
Getting in a paddy if the help moved one of his figurines half an inch when she was dusting.
Laurie Graham MR STARLIGHT (2004)
In Aldridge he took photographs of four-year-old Jill Ashurst and her pal Christopher Edwards raking leaves or doing the dusting.
Times, Sunday Times (2002)
Made a show of dusting books or checking titles against an inventory.
Moore, Margaret Forests of the Night
No cactuses yet, just bare vines and a dusting of almond blossom.
The Australian (2004)
Normal maintenance has been neglected for decades, but all the statue needs is a good dusting.
New Scientist (2004)
Stack upside down to dry before dusting the stems with sulphur.
Sun, News of the World (1999)
There was probably a fine dusting of snow on the hills around the city.
Nabb, Magdalen, Vagheggi, Paolo Prosecutor
We are still likely to find our tomatoes attacked by pest or disease so regular dusting with a tomato dust is probably going to be needed.
Misc (1999)

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