dusting

American  

[duhs-ting] / ˈdʌs tɪŋ /

noun

1. a light application.

   a dusting of powder.

2. a beating; defeat.

   He gave his opponent a good dusting.

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Etymology

Origin of dusting

First recorded in 1615–25; dust + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Snow is expected to blanket parts of Southern California through Wednesday, with up to 3 feet predicted at the highest peaks and a dusting possible across the Interstate 5 corridor.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026

“There’s a book that’s sitting in your house somewhere that could use some dusting off,” he sang while playing an acoustic guitar.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

The case arose after Sacramento police spotted a dusting of loose “crumbs” in the back of a car they had pulled over for a rolling stop.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

To make them, cafes melt marshmallows to create a chewy outer layer mixed with chocolate, then fill individual portions with pistachio cream and kadaif before dusting the top with cocoa powder.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

Naomi checked the clock in the kitchen and then went back to dusting.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez