duster coat

IPA/ˈdʌs.tə ˌkəʊt/
IPA/ˈdʌs.tɚ ˌkoʊt/

duster coat — noun

1. a women's outer garment made from lightweight fabric, cut loosely and closed at

1.nounB1
Definition

a women's outer garment made from lightweight fabric, cut loosely and closed at the waist with a belt rather than with buttons or a zip

Example

Maja wore a light beige duster coat over her summer dress to the outdoor brunch.

collocation: light + duster coat

Ada's cream-coloured duster coat has a wide belt that makes her waist look smaller.

belt feature of duster coat

Common collocations
  • light duster coat
  • cream-coloured duster coat
  • beige duster coat
  • wide belt of a duster coat
Synonyms
  • trench coat

    heavier, usually waterproof, and has buttons in addition to a belt; more structured than a duster coat

  • cardigan

    knitted rather than woven fabric, opens at the front but typically uses buttons or no closure at all

Usage Note

This fashion style of duster coat is designed without buttons — the belt is the only closure. It is typically worn open over a dress or top as a light layer.

Common Mistakes

She put on a duster coat and buttoned it up.
She put on a duster coat and tied the belt at the front.
A duster coat has no buttons; it is fastened with a belt or worn open.

2. a knee-length or longer coat that cowboys in the American West once wore to keep

2.nounB2
Definition

a knee-length or longer coat that cowboys in the American West once wore to keep trail dust from settling on their clothes, traditionally fashioned from leather or heavy-duty cotton

Example

In old Western films, cowboys ride across the plains wearing long leather duster coats.

collocation: long leather duster coat

Ignacio's grandfather still owns the heavy canvas duster coat he wore on his Texas farm.

collocation: heavy canvas duster coat

Common collocations
  • leather duster coat
  • canvas duster coat
  • brown duster coat
  • long duster coat
  • worn duster coat
Synonyms
  • overcoat

    a general term for any heavy long coat; does not specifically suggest cowboy or Western wear

  • dust coat

    an older term for a similar garment, sometimes used interchangeably with 'duster' in historical contexts

Usage Note

Historically this coat served a practical purpose — the long length and heavy material kept trail dust off the rider's clothes. The name 'duster' comes directly from this function.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A duster coat (sense 1) is defined by its light fabric and belt-only closure. A trench coat shares the belted waist but is heavier, water-resistant, and has buttons, epaulettes, and a more structured military-style design — better for rainy weather. An overcoat is a heavy, knee-length or longer wool garment worn over a suit for warmth, with no belt typically. A jacket is shorter (hip-length) and can be made of many materials, but the duster coat's defining feature is its loose, unbelted-without-the-belt cut that reaches at least to the upper thigh. For example: 'Maja chose a light duster coat for the autumn picnic, whereas her colleague wore a wool overcoat for warmth.'

trench coatovercoat ↗jacket ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • belt of a duster coat
  • waist of a duster coat
  • leather duster coat
  • canvas duster coat

Phrases

  • wear a duster coat
  • put on a duster coat
  • tie the belt of a duster coat

Prepositions

  • in a duster coat
  • of a duster coat

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

The term 'duster coat' comes from the noun 'dust' combined with the suffix '-er' (meaning 'something that deals with something'). Originally, in late 19th-century America, a 'duster' was a long lightweight coat worn by horse riders and early motorists to keep dust off their clothes. 'Duster coat' later developed two branches: the practical cowboy garment and the lighter women's fashion item.