Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Resembling or consisting of fine, dry particles like powder: Describes something that has the texture, appearance, or consistency of powder.
   • Covered with or as if with a layer of fine dust or powder: Describes a surface that appears dusted with a fine substance.

Usage

The word "powdery" is used to describe substances, surfaces, or colors that are fine, dry, and loose like powder. It often implies a soft, light, and easily dispersed quality.

Examples

• Describing texture/substance:
  • The snow was light and powdery, perfect for skiing.
  • She added a spoonful of powdery sugar to the mixture.
• Describing appearance/coverage:
  • The old books left a powdery residue on my fingers.
  • The butterfly's wings had a beautiful powdery sheen.

Advanced Usage

• "Powdery mildew": A specific term for a fungal plant disease that covers leaves with a white, powdery-looking coating.
  • The roses were affected by powdery mildew after the humid weather.
• Used metaphorically to describe a soft, muted, or dusty quality of light or color.
  • The room was bathed in a powdery twilight.

Variants and Related Words

• Powder (n/v): The fine particles themselves, or the act of applying them.
  • She powdered her nose. (v)
  • Talcum powder (n)
• Powdered (adj): Reduced to or covered in powder.
  • powdered milk
• Pulverized (adj): Crushed or ground into a powder. (A stronger, more processed synonym).

Synonyms

• Dusty: Covered with or resembling dust.
• Fine: Consisting of very small particles.
• Friable: Easily crumbled into a powder.

Antonyms

• Clumpy: Forming thick, solid masses.
• Wet: Containing moisture or liquid.
• Solid: Firm and stable in shape.

Notes

• "Powdery" often has a positive connotation when describing desirable textures (e.g., snow, sugar) but can be negative when describing decay or dryness (e.g., old plaster, mildew).
• It is distinct from "grainy," which implies slightly larger, sand-like particles.

Adjective

1. as if dulled in color with a sprinkling of powder
   • a powdery blue
2. consisting of fine particles
   • powdered cellulose
   • powdery snow
   • pulverized sugar is prepared from granulated sugar by grinding