crop-dusting: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (technical); Medium (informal, especially in American English slang)Technical (agricultural); Slang (informal, humorous)
Quick answer
What does “crop-dusting” mean?
The agricultural practice of spraying crops with pesticides or fertilizers from an aircraft.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The agricultural practice of spraying crops with pesticides or fertilizers from an aircraft.
A humorous slang term for discreetly passing flatulence while walking through a public or crowded space.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The agricultural meaning is standard in both varieties. The slang meaning is more widely recognized and used in American English, likely due to its appearance in American pop culture.
Connotations
The agricultural meaning is neutral and technical. The slang meaning is humorous, informal, and considered mildly vulgar.
Frequency
The technical term is low-frequency in general discourse but standard within agriculture. The slang term is moderately common in casual American English, particularly among younger speakers.
Grammar
How to Use “crop-dusting” in a Sentence
[crop-dusting] + of + (crop/area)[crop-dusting] + noun (e.g., operation, aircraft)to perform/do + [crop-dusting]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crop-dusting” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The contractor will crop-dust the entire barley field next week.
American English
- He tried to crop-dust the conference room without anyone noticing.
adjective
British English
- The old crop-dusting biplane is now in a museum.
American English
- She works for a crop-dusting business in Texas.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the context of agricultural services and supply chains, e.g., 'The company expanded its crop-dusting operations in the Midwest.'
Academic
Appears in agricultural science, environmental studies, and history texts discussing farming technology and its impacts.
Everyday
Primarily used in its slang sense for humorous effect, e.g., 'He was accused of crop-dusting the entire queue.'
Technical
Standard term in agronomy and aviation for the precise aerial application of agrochemicals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crop-dusting”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crop-dusting”
- Using the slang meaning in formal or agricultural contexts. Confusing 'crop-dusting' with 'crop rotation' or 'irrigation'. Using it as a verb without object or context (e.g., 'He crop-dusted' is ambiguous).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It allows for the rapid and efficient application of pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers over large or difficult-to-access farmland.
No, it is informal, humorous, and considered vulgar. It is inappropriate for formal or polite conversation.
Yes, modern agricultural drone technology is increasingly used for precision crop-dusting, reducing cost and environmental impact.
The metaphor is visually evocative, comparing the trail of gas to a plane's spray, and has been popularized through television, film, and internet culture.
The agricultural practice of spraying crops with pesticides or fertilizers from an aircraft.
Crop-dusting is usually technical (agricultural); slang (informal, humorous) in register.
Crop-dusting: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɒp ˌdʌstɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɑːp ˌdʌstɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a plane 'dusting' a field with powder, or a person 'dusting' a room with gas as they walk—both spread something over an area.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISPERSING SUBSTANCE OVER AREA IS DUSTING (applies to chemicals or bodily gas).
Practice
Quiz
In informal American English, what does 'crop-dusting' typically refer to?