What is dust? Pronunciation and usage in English

dust means . Learn how to pronounce and use dust through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of dust

dustnoun/verb

/dʌst/
Definition & pronunciation of dust

The word "dust" is pronounced "dust" – exactly as it looks!

It's a very straightforward pronunciation. It's a short, unstressed syllable, so it's often almost silent.

Here's a breakdown of how it sounds:

  • "d": As in "dog"
  • "u": As in "put"
  • "st": As in "stop"

You can hear it clearly on audio platforms like:

Do you want me to break down any part of the pronunciation further, or perhaps give you some words that rhyme with "dust"?

Usage and examples with the word dust in English

Let's break down how to use the word "dust" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different meanings and ways to use it!

1. As a Physical Substance (The most common definition)

  • Meaning: Tiny particles of solid matter, typically originating from the decay of organic material or the erosion of rock. Think of it as small bits of dirt, dirt particles, or residue.
  • Examples:
    • "There's a thick layer of dust on the shelves." (Referring to a visible coating)
    • "I'm vacuuming to get rid of the dust." (Cleaning action)
    • "The attic was filled with old dust and cobwebs."
    • "He coughed as he inhaled the dust from the construction site."

2. Figurative Meanings - Loss and Decay

  • Meaning: This is where "dust" gets a bit poetic and symbolic. It represents mortality, the end of life, or loss. It's often associated with faded memories or things that are no longer relevant.
  • Examples:
    • "In the end, we are all just dust." (A philosophical statement about mortality)
    • "Her memories faded like dust in the wind." (Representing loss of recollection)
    • "The old photograph was just a faded dust of what it once was."
    • "Don't let your dreams turn to dust." (Warning against abandoning aspirations)

3. As a Verb (Less common, but important)

  • Meaning: To sprinkle or scatter something lightly.
  • Examples:
    • "She dusted the table with a cloth." (Cleaning action – applying a light coating)
    • "He dusted the roses before the party." (Sprinkling with water or a spray)
    • "The floor needs to be dusted."

4. “Dust Off” - An Idiomatic Expression

  • Meaning: To revive, refresh, or bring back to life (often an idea, a project, or a relationship).
  • Examples:
    • “Let’s dust off that old business plan.” (Revive it)
    • “He needed to dust off his skills after being out of work for so long.” (Refresh his skills)

5. “Dust Yourself Off” - An Idiomatic Expression

  • Meaning: To recover or regain strength after a setback or failure.
  • Examples:
    • “After the defeat, he just had to dust himself off and keep going.”

Tips for Using "Dust" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "dust" is determined by the surrounding words.
  • Consider the Tone: When using "dust" figuratively, it adds a serious or thoughtful element to your writing or speech.
  • Don't Overuse: Figurative uses of “dust” can feel heavy if used too frequently.

Resources for Further Learning:

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  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "dust" in? (e.g., writing a poem, describing a room, talking about a feeling)

Synonyms for the word dust

Idioms of the word dust

bite the dust
to fail, or to be defeated or destroyed
  • Thousands of small businesses bite the dust every year.
(humorous)to die
    collect/gather dust
    to not be used for a long time
    • Play your guitar that's gathering dust, or pull out the old tennis racket for a match.
    • You may already have an old laptop that is collecting dust but otherwise usable.
    leave somebody in the dust
    (North American English)to leave somebody far behind
      let the dust settle | wait for the dust to settle
      to wait for a situation to become clear or certain
      • He waited for the dust to settle after the election before making any new decisions.

      Practice with vocabulary dust

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. The old archives were covered in a thick layer of accumulated ______, signaling years of neglect.
      2. Please remember to ______ the bookshelves and the window sills regularly to maintain a pristine environment.
      3. After the storm, the streets were covered in tree branches and other organic ______ that required immediate clearing.
      4. She accidentally tracked ______ from the construction site onto the clean office carpet, leaving muddy footprints.

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

      1. Which of the following describes very fine, dry particles of earth or other matter, often suspended in the air or settled on surfaces? a) gravel b) dust c) boulders d) grit

      2. To maintain a sterile laboratory environment, technicians must ______ sensitive equipment daily to remove any accumulated impurities. a) polish b) dust c) wash d) rinse

      3. The new CEO’s radical presentation managed to ______ our outdated marketing strategies, introducing fresh and innovative ideas. a) shake the foundations of b) clear the dust from c) wipe clean d) scrub out

      4. Before applying the protective coating, it is essential to ______ the metal surface thoroughly to ensure proper adhesion. a) brighten b) scrape c) clean d) smooth

      5. The scientist meticulously collected every tiny ______ of the unknown substance for detailed analysis under the microscope. a) fragment b) speck c) boulder d) lump

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. Original: Fine particles had settled on all the surfaces in the vacant office, making it appear neglected. Rewrite: To make the vacant office look less neglected, someone needed to ______.

      2. Original: We need to retrieve and update our old contingency plans to ensure they are still relevant for current challenges. Rewrite: Our old contingency plans need to be ______ and made relevant for current challenges.

      3. Original: The clean-up crew carefully removed all the small pieces of broken glass and concrete from the accident site. Rewrite: The clean-up crew carefully removed all the ______ from the accident site.

      Answer:

      Exercise 1:

      1. dust
      2. dust
      3. debris
      4. dirt

      Exercise 2:

      1. b) dust
      2. b) dust
      3. b) clear the dust from
      4. c) clean
      5. a) speck, b) particle

      Exercise 3:

      1. To make the vacant office look less neglected, someone needed to dust all the surfaces.
      2. Our old contingency plans need to be dusted off and made relevant for current challenges.
      3. The clean-up crew carefully removed all the debris from the accident site.

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