dust
/dʌst/ (bre, ipa) · /dʌst/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdəst/ (ame, mw)
dust — noun
1. very small, dry particles of earth, sand, or other solid material that float in
very small, dry particles of earth, sand, or other solid material that float in the air and form a thin layer on surfaces when they settle
A thick layer of dust had settled on the piano after months of neglect.
collocation: a layer of dust, dust settles
The children kicked up clouds of dust as they ran along the unpaved road.
collocation: cloud of dust
Mizuki sneezed when she lifted the old carpet and a puff of dust flew into the air.
Sunlight streamed through the window and made the specks of dust visible in the air.
The construction site was so dry that dust covered every surface for blocks around.
文法句型
dust + verb (settles, gathers)
cloud/puff/speck/layer of dust
用法筆記
Dust is uncountable in this sense. To talk about individual pieces, use 'a speck of dust', 'a particle of dust', or 'a grain of dust'.
常見錯誤
dust — verb
1. to remove the fine layer of dry particles from furniture, shelves, or other obje
to remove the fine layer of dry particles from furniture, shelves, or other objects by wiping or brushing the surface with a cloth or duster
Kemi dusted the living room shelves while listening to a podcast on her headphones.
transitive: dust + object (shelves)
Shirin carefully dusted the antique clock with a soft brush rather than a cloth.
Could you dust the window frames before the guests arrive this afternoon?
The librarian dusted the rare book collection every Tuesday morning with great care.
文法句型
dust + noun phrase (furniture/shelf/surface)
dust something down/off
用法筆記
Often used with 'down' or 'off' (dust down the curtains, dust off the shelves) in British and American English respectively to emphasise thorough cleaning. Unlike 'clean', 'dust' specifically targets the removal of loose dry particles rather than general grime.
常見錯誤
2. to cover or sprinkle a surface with a fine, loose layer of small particles, such
to cover or sprinkle a surface with a fine, loose layer of small particles, such as flour, sugar, powder, or snow
The baker dusted the top of the cake with a layer of icing sugar before serving it.
pattern: dust + object + with [substance]
Vinícius dusted the grilled fish with salt and black pepper just before taking it off the heat.
A light snow dusted the rooftops and gardens during the night while everyone slept.
Niran dusted a handful of flour over the work surface before kneading the bread dough.
文法句型
dust something with something
dust something over/across something
用法筆記
Common in cooking (dust with sugar/flour), baking (dust a pan with flour), and describing natural phenomena (snow dusts the ground). The passive form 'was dusted with' is frequently used for finished results.