dust ball

American  

noun

1. Chiefly Northern and North Midland U.S. a ball or roll of dust and lint that accumulates indoors, as in corners or under furniture.

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Regionalisms

Dust ball and dust curl are used chiefly in the North and North Midland U.S. Dust kitten and dust kitty are also in use in the Northern U.S., but there are many other terms that are in use in widely scattered local areas, such as dust mouse, house moss, and woolly.

Example Sentences

“It would be decimating, if we were cut off. It would literally be a dust ball,” he said.

From Fox News

Of course, it’s also up to the individual whose behavior has been called into question to be open, humble and willing to see such incidents as opportunities to learn, rather than a one-way ticket into a cartoon dust ball fight.

From The Guardian

As it wanders, it uses heated steam, a cleaning agent, and dry sweeping to ensure that every food particle, every pet hair, every dust ball, and all the other unwanted whatnot clinging to your stone, tile, or wood floor is cleaned up completely.

From Slate

“The servants were careless when they cleaned the coach. That dust ball is a disgrace. We shouldn’t have to ride in such filth. Pick it up, Ella.”

From Literature

There was not a dust ball in sight.

From Literature

Related Words

• lint