floury

IPA/ˈflaʊəri/
IPA/ˈflaʊəri/

floury — adjective

  • flourypositive
  • flouriercomparative
  • flouriestsuperlative

1. covered with white flour on the outside, or having a soft, dry texture similar t

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

covered with white flour on the outside, or having a soft, dry texture similar to flour.

Example

Aaron wiped his floury hands on his apron before answering the phone.

floury + body part (hands, fingers)

The baker's floury fingerprints were all over the counter by noon.

Common collocations
  • floury hands
  • floury apron
  • floury surface
  • floury texture
  • floury taste
Synonyms
  • powdery

    more general; can describe any fine dry substance, not just flour

  • mealy

    similar texture but usually describes grains or fruit, not baking flour

Antonyms
  • greasy

    describes a wet, oily surface rather than a dry, powdery one

Usage Note

Often describes a baker's hands, clothes, or work surfaces after handling flour. Can also describe the taste or texture of certain baked goods.

Common Mistakes

The bread was floury on the outside' (when meaning just a light dusting).
The bread was dusted with flour on the outside.
'floury' suggests a noticeable coating or texture, not just a light sprinkle.

2. (of a potato variety) turning soft and dry during cooking, so that it falls apar

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

(of a potato variety) turning soft and dry during cooking, so that it falls apart into crumbs.

Example

Floury potatoes are the best choice for making light, fluffy mashed potatoes.

floury potatoes + cooking method (boiling, baking, mashing)

Ravindra used floury potatoes for the soup because they break down easily in the broth.

Common collocations
  • floury potatoes
  • floury texture
  • floury variety
  • floury mash
Synonyms
  • mealy

    interchangeable for potatoes; 'mealy' is slightly more common in American English

Antonyms
  • waxy

    describes potatoes that stay firm and moist when cooked

Usage Note

Primarily used in British and Commonwealth cooking contexts to classify potato varieties. The opposite type is 'waxy' potato, which stays firm when cooked.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Floury' specifically relates to flour — either physically covered in it (floury hands, floury countertop) or having its dry, soft texture (floury biscuits). 'Powdery' is the broader term for any fine dry substance, from talcum to pollen, and does not imply the presence of actual flour. 'Mealy' overlaps with floury in describing a dry, crumbly texture, but it usually applies to grains, fruit (mealy apples), or potatoes rather than to baking flour itself. 'Dusty' suggests a coating of fine dry particles, often dirt or debris, rather than a food ingredient. For example: 'The baker's floury apron left marks on the car seat' (specific to flour) but 'The old books smelled dusty' (general dry particles, not flour).

floury ↗powderymealy ↗dusty ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • slightly floury
  • a bit floury

Phrases

  • floury on the outside
  • floury inside

Etymology

Old FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Floury comes from the Middle English word 'flour', which originally meant 'the finest part of ground grain'. The -y suffix was added to form an adjective meaning 'like flour' or 'covered with flour'. The word has been used in English since at least the 1500s.