dusty

/ˈdʌsti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʌsti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdə-stē/ (ame, mw)

dusty — adjective

  • dustypositive
  • dustiercomparative
  • dustiestsuperlative

1. having a layer of fine, dry powder sitting on the surface, so that it needs clea

1.形容詞A2
釋義

having a layer of fine, dry powder sitting on the surface, so that it needs cleaning

例句

Tyler wiped the dusty shelf with a wet cloth before putting the books back.

collocation: dusty shelf

Adina sneezed when she opened the dusty box of old Christmas decorations.

so + adjective + that-clause (implied result)

同義詞
  • sandy

    refers specifically to loose grains of sand, not household dust

  • sooty

    describes black powder from smoke or fire

  • powdery

    emphasises the fine, loose texture rather than the need for cleaning

反義詞
  • clean

    free of any dust or dirt

  • polished

    shiny after cleaning, the opposite of a dusty surface

用法筆記

Frequently used with nouns for household objects (shelf, table, book, window, box) and indoor spaces (attic, basement, room).

常見錯誤

❌The counter was dusty' (when you mean dirty with food stains).
✅The counter was dusty' (use only if fine dry powder is visible).
💡Dusty is specific to dry particle dust, not general dirt or grease.

2. having a dull, pale shade that reminds people of dust — used before a colour wor

2.形容詞B1
釋義

having a dull, pale shade that reminds people of dust — used before a colour word to describe a soft or muted tone

例句

Paloma chose a dusty blue paint for the kitchen walls.

colour: dusty blue

The hills looked dusty green under the afternoon sun.

同義詞
  • muted

    broader term for any soft, toned-down colour

  • dull

    more negative; lacks brightness entirely rather than being softly muted

  • faded

    suggests the colour was brighter before, not naturally soft

反義詞
  • bright

    vivid and strong, opposite of a muted dusty shade

  • vibrant

    full of colour and energy

用法筆記

Almost always appears before another colour word (pink, blue, green, grey, purple). Do not use alone to describe the colour of an object — a 'dusty dress' would be read as a dress covered in dust (sense 1).

常見錯誤

❌She bought a dusty dress' (meaning a greyish dress — ambiguous).
✅She bought a dusty grey dress.
💡Always pair with a colour word to avoid confusion with sense 1.

3. old-fashioned and not interesting or exciting, because something has been around

3.形容詞B2
釋義

old-fashioned and not interesting or exciting, because something has been around for too long without change

例句

The professor's dusty old lectures put half the class to sleep.

pattern: dusty old + noun

Cyrus wanted to update the company's dusty reputation with fresh ideas.

同義詞
  • stale

    suggests something that was once fresh but has gone flat, like old bread or old jokes

  • musty

    has a similar physical feel (old smell) but less common in figurative use

  • dated

    neutral — simply old-fashioned without the negative flavour of boredom

反義詞
  • fresh

    new and exciting, the opposite of stale or dusty

  • cutting-edge

    at the forefront of modern thinking

用法筆記

Often carries a mildly negative or dismissive tone. Commonly paired with 'old' (dusty old ideas, dusty old building). Applies to ideas, images, reputations, and institutions — not just physical objects.

常見錯誤

❌The book is dusty' (could mean physically covered in dust — sense 1).
✅The book is dusty and outdated.
💡Use additional context words (outdated, old-fashioned, stale) to signal the figurative meaning.