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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Dust: Meanings, Examples, and Common Collocations (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：fine dry particles (dust)

dust 🔊

/dʌst/

n./v.

Fine, dry powder of dirt or other substances that gathers on surfaces inside buildings.

Close-up of dust particles on a wooden bookshelf in sunlight

fine dry particles 🔊

➕

/faɪn draɪ ˈpɑːrtɪkəlz/

n./v.

Tiny, light particles of dirt or other matter that settle on indoor surfaces.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'dūst', related to German 'Dunst' (vapor).

💡 Mnemonic

Dust is like 'must' – you must clean it off surfaces.

📖 Example

A ray of sunshine streaming through the window illuminated the tiny particles of dust floating in the air. 🔊 A beam of sunlight coming through the window lit up the small dust particles drifting in the air.

🔗 Collocations

dust particle – A tiny piece of dust

dust layer – A covering of dust on a surface

dust storm – A strong wind carrying dust across a dry area

🔄 Synonyms

grime (n.) – Dirt ingrained on a surface, often sticky

soot (n.) – Black powder produced by burning carbon

powder (n.) – Fine dry grains produced by grinding a solid

🚫 Antonyms

cleanliness (n.) – State of being free from dirt or dust

polish (n./v.) – Shiny surface free from dust after cleaning

🌱 Derivatives

dusty (adj.) – Covered with or full of dust

duster (n.) – A cloth or tool for removing dust

dustless (adj.) – Producing or containing no dust

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Proto-Germanic *dunstaz, meaning 'vapor' or 'dust', linking fine particles to mist.

Meaning 2：wipe dust off (dust)

dust 🔊

/dʌst/

n./v.

To remove dust from a surface by wiping or brushing.

Hand wiping dust off a dark wooden table with a yellow cloth

wipe dust off 🔊

➕

/waɪp dʌst ɒf/

n./v.

To clean a surface by removing dust with a cloth, brush, or similar tool.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Every Sunday morning, she makes it a routine to dust all the furniture in the living room. 🔊 Every Sunday morning, she makes it a habit to wipe the dust off all the furniture in the living room.

🔗 Collocations

dust off – To remove dust from a surface by wiping

dust the shelves – To clean shelves with a duster or cloth

dust the furniture – To remove dust from tables, chairs, etc.

🔄 Synonyms

wipe (v.) – To clean a surface by rubbing with a cloth

clean (v.) – To remove dirt or dust from something

polish (v.) – To make a surface shiny by rubbing, often after dusting

🚫 Antonyms

soiled (adj.) – Made dirty or dusty

neglect (n./v.) – To fail to clean, allowing dust to accumulate

🌱 Derivatives

dusted (adj. (past participle)) – Having had dust removed

dusting (n.) – The act of removing dust

duster (n.) – A tool used for dusting