powdery

adjective

pow·​dery ˈpau̇-də-rē How to pronounce powdery (audio)
Synonyms of powderynext
1
a
: resembling or consisting of powder
powdery snow
b
: easily reduced to powder : crumbling
2
: covered with or as if with powder

Synonyms of powdery

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Examples of powdery in a Sentence

the beach's powdery white sand We skied down the powdery slopes.
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Japanese flight controllers want to avoid powdery soil and rough terrain when the mothership, a four-legged stationary lander, descends to the surface to gather samples in late 2028 or 2029. — Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026 With her cover blown anyway, Khosla crosses the powdery dirt yard to the trailer at the chipping yard. — Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 Many of those officials have reported the letters contained white powdery substances, though none have been confirmed to be harmful. — Olivia Young, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 Japanese flight controllers want to avoid powdery soil and rough terrain when the mothership — a four-legged stationary lander — descends to the surface to gather samples in late 2028 or 2029. — ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for powdery

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of powdery was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing powdery

Browse Nearby Words

powder train
powdery
powdery mildew
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Cite this Entry

“Powdery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/powdery. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

powdery

adjective
pow·​dery ˈpau̇d-ə-rē How to pronounce powdery (audio)
1
a
: resembling or consisting of powder
b
: easily made into a powder : crumbly
2
: covered with or as if with powder : dusty
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