noun

sawdust

SAW-duhst

Sawdust (noun) means the fine, powdery particles produced when wood is cut with a saw. Example: “The workshop floor was covered in sawdust.”

noun

The fine, powdery particles produced when wood is cut with a saw.

"The workshop floor was covered in sawdust."

"Sawdust can be used as mulch or animal bedding."

Informally, food or writing that is bland and dry.

"The review called the novel's prose pure sawdust."

How to use sawdust

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWood shavings left over from sawing, or (figuratively) something bland and dry.

Word forms

sawdusted past tense, sawdusts plural, sawdusts singular

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The workshop floor was covered in _____.

Etymology

A compound of "saw" and "dust."

Frequently asked questions

What does “sawdust” mean?

The word “sawdust” means the fine, powdery particles produced when wood is cut with a saw. In plain terms, wood shavings left over from sawing, or (figuratively) something bland and dry.

How do you pronounce “sawdust”?

“Sawdust” is pronounced SAW-duhst (/ˈsɔːˌdʌst/ in IPA).

How do you use “sawdust” in a sentence?

Here is “sawdust” used in a sentence: “The workshop floor was covered in sawdust.”

What part of speech is “sawdust”?

“Sawdust” is a noun.

How many meanings does “sawdust” have?

“Sawdust” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the fine, powdery particles produced when wood is cut with a saw.