noun
dusting
DUHS-tihng
Dusting (noun) means a light, thin covering of something, especially snow or powder. Example: “A light dusting of snow covered the rooftops overnight.”
noun
1
A light, thin covering of something, especially snow or powder.
"Cover the cake with a dusting of confectioner's sugar."
"A light dusting of snow covered the rooftops overnight."
2
The household chore of wiping dust from surfaces.
"Tuesday is the day when I do the dusting."
"Strict orders had been given by Mrs. Breen the night before that certain dustings and arrangings of furniture should take place, the spacious stairs swept, and the hectic hired palms in their great china pots watered."
— Francis Hopkinson Smith, Peter: A Novel of Which He Is Not the Hero (1908)
"Saturday mornings are for hoovering and dusting."
How to use dusting
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA thin covering (like a bit of snow or icing sugar) or the act of cleaning dust off things.
Common pairings
a light dusting of snow
dusting and hoovering
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like dusting.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- dustings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A light _____ of snow covered the rooftops overnight.
Etymology
The "-ing" form of "dust," used both for the chore and for describing a thin, dust-like layer of something.
Rhymes for dusting
See all rhymes for dusting →Frequently asked questions
What does “dusting” mean?
The word “dusting” means a light, thin covering of something, especially snow or powder. In plain terms, a thin covering (like a bit of snow or icing sugar) or the act of cleaning dust off things.
How do you pronounce “dusting”?
“Dusting” is pronounced DUHS-tihng (/ˈdʌstɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dusting” in a sentence?
Here is “dusting” used in a sentence: “A light dusting of snow covered the rooftops overnight.”
What part of speech is “dusting”?
“Dusting” is a noun.
How many meanings does “dusting” have?
“Dusting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a light, thin covering of something, especially snow or powder.
