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Powdery: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŒซ๏ธ
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powdery

 

[หˆpaสŠdษ™ri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

describing texture

Consisting of or resembling powder; covered with or as if with powder.

Synonyms

dusty, floury, pulverulent.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
powdery

This word is repeated, so see the first definition.

  • The powdered sugar made the cake look beautiful
dusty

Used when describing something covered in or resembling dust. Often conveys a sense of neglect or age.

  • The attic was filled with old, dusty furniture
floury

Used to describe something that has a texture or appearance similar to flour. Often used in the context of baking or cooking.

  • The baker's hands were floury after making bread
pulverulent

Used in scientific or technical contexts to describe something that is reduced to fine particles or dust. Less commonly used in everyday speech.

  • The mineral sample was pulverulent after being ground in the lab

Examples of usage

  • The leaves were covered in a powdery substance.
  • The cake had a powdery texture to it.
Context #2 | Adjective

describing appearance

Having a pale, soft, or dusty color; lacking vibrancy or intensity.

Synonyms

dull, faded, pale.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
powdery

Used to describe something that resembles or has the texture of powder. Often applied to substances like makeup, snow, or dust.

  • The snow was light and powdery, perfect for skiing.
  • She applied a powdery blush to her cheeks.
pale

Describes a light or washed-out color, often used to refer to skin that is unusually light due to illness, shock, or lack of sun exposure. Also used to denote light shades of any color.

  • Her face turned pale when she heard the bad news.
  • The walls were painted a pale shade of blue.
dull

Describes something that lacks brightness, sharpness, or excitement. Can refer to colors, sounds, or objects that are not shiny.

  • The knife was too dull to cut through the vegetable.
  • The lecture was so dull that many students started to fall asleep.
faded

Refers to something that has lost its original color or brightness due to exposure to light, time, or wear.

  • The jeans were old and faded from frequent washing.
  • The photograph had faded over the years.

Examples of usage

  • The painting had a powdery color palette.
  • Her skin had a powdery complexion.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'powder' comes from the Latin 'pulvis,' which means 'dust' or 'powder.'
  • It began in the 14th century, initially describing ground substances used in various industries.
  • The addition of 'y' made it an adjective to describe textures similar to fine particles.

Science

  • In chemistry, powders are often used to create reactions, where surface area plays a critical role.
  • Powdery substances can affect the way light interacts, often creating a softer appearance in art and photography.
  • Certain powders, like talc, are used in many everyday products for their absorbent qualities.

Nature

  • Some plants produce powdery substances, like pollen, which can be essential for reproduction.
  • Deserts are often characterized by powdery sand that can be shaped by the wind into beautiful dunes.
  • Snow can sometimes be described as powdery, creating excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding.

Art and Culture

  • In art, powdery pastels are favored for their soft texture and ability to blend well.
  • Certain powders are used in cosmetics to create a smooth finish on the skin.
  • The term 'powdery' was used to describe certain styles in painting, where the surface appears soft and diffused.

Health and Safety

  • Many medical substances are in powder form for easier consumption, like powdered medication.
  • Powdery substances can pose inhalation risks; hence, proper handling and protective gear are essential.
  • In food safety, powdery products must be stored correctly to prevent contamination and spoilage.

Translations

Translations of the word "powdery" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น pulverulento

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเฅ‚เคฐเฅเคฃเคฟเคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช pulverig

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ berdebu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพั€ะพัˆะบะพะฟะพะดั–ะฑะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ proszkowy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็ฒ‰็Šถใฎ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท poudreux

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ polvoriento

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tozlu

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฐ€๋ฃจ๋กœ ๋œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจูˆุฏุฑูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ prรกลกkovรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ prรกลกkovรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ฒ‰็Šถ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ praลกnat

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ duftkenndur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ าฑะฝั‚ะฐา› ั‚ำ™ั€ั–ะทะดั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒคแƒฎแƒ•แƒ˜แƒ”แƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tozlu

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ polvoriento

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,210, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.