powder
POW-duh
Powder (noun) means a dry substance made of fine loose particles. Example: “Mix the powder with warm water until it forms a smooth paste.”
noun
1
A dry substance made of fine loose particles.
"Mix the powder with warm water until it forms a smooth paste."
"She dusted the cake with icing powder."
"He applied powder to keep the shine off his face."
verb
1
To reduce something to a fine powder, or to sprinkle it with powder.
"He powdered the dried chillies in a mortar to make a hot spice."
"She powdered her nose before stepping onto the stage."
"Powder the almonds before adding them to the batter."
How to use powder
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fine, dry, loose substance, or the act of covering something with it.
Common pairings
powder snow
baby powder
powdered sugar
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- powders
- Past tense
- powdered
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Mix the _____ with warm water until it forms a smooth paste.
Etymology
From Old French poudre, from Latin pulvis, "dust" — a doublet of the word "pulverize".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for powder
See all rhymes for powder →Frequently asked questions
What does “powder” mean?
The word “powder” means a dry substance made of fine loose particles. In plain terms, a fine, dry, loose substance, or the act of covering something with it.
How do you pronounce “powder”?
“Powder” is pronounced POW-duh (/ˈpaʊ.dɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “powder” in a sentence?
Here is “powder” used in a sentence: “She dusted the cake with icing powder.”
What part of speech is “powder”?
Depending on how it is used, “powder” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “powder” come from?
The word “powder” comes from Latin. From Old French poudre, from Latin pulvis, "dust" — a doublet of the word "pulverize".
Is “powder” a common word?
“Powder” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “powder” have?
“Powder” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dry substance made of fine loose particles.
What is the difference between powder and dust?
Powder is a dry substance made of fine loose particles, often produced deliberately, such as flour or talcum powder. Dust usually refers to fine particles that gather unintentionally, such as household dust, so powder is typically made while dust accumulates.
What is the difference between "powder" and "grind" as verbs?
To "powder" means to reduce something to a fine powder or to sprinkle it with powder. To "grind" is the crushing or milling action that often produces the powder, so you grind coffee beans in order to powder them.
What are common things called "powder"?
Common examples include baking powder, talcum powder, baby powder, gunpowder, and washing powder, all of which are fine, dry, loose substances. In cooking and cosmetics the word often names the specific product.
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