Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Resembling flour in texture: Having a fine, soft, dry, and powdery consistency similar to that of flour.
   • Covered with flour: Lightly coated or dusted with a layer of flour.

Usage

• The word "floury" is used to describe a substance's physical texture or its appearance when dusted with flour. It is primarily descriptive.
• It is commonly applied to foods (like potatoes), cooking surfaces, or clay-like materials.

Examples

• Describing texture:
  • The baker's hands were floury after kneading the dough.
  • A good baking potato should be nice and floury when cooked.
• Describing a coating:
  • She rolled out the floury pastry on the marble slab.
  • The worktop was left floury from the morning's baking.

Advanced Usage

• "floury finish": A matte, non-shiny surface texture that resembles a dusting of flour.
  • The paint dries to a pleasant floury finish.
• "floury mouthfeel": A sensory term used in food tasting, particularly for wines or certain fruits, describing a dry, powdery sensation in the mouth.
  • The overripe peach had a slightly floury mouthfeel.

Variants and Related Words

• Flour (n): The powdery substance made by grinding grain, used to make bread, cakes, etc.
• Flour (v): To coat or sprinkle with flour.
  • Flour the baking tray before adding the mixture.

Synonyms

• Powdery: Consisting of or resembling powder.
• Mealy: Having a soft, dry, crumbly texture similar to meal or flour (often used for cooked potatoes or apples).
• Dusty: Covered with a layer of fine particles.

Antonyms

• Glutinous: Having a glue-like, sticky texture.
• Slimy: Unpleasantly wet and slippery.
• Shiny: Reflecting light; glossy (opposite of a floury finish).

Adjective

1. resembling flour in fine powdery texture
   • a floury clay