duster
B1Neutral to informal in domestic contexts; technical in agricultural/industrial contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A cloth, brush, or tool used for removing dust from surfaces.
A person or device that removes dust; a light, loose-fitting coat worn to protect clothes from dust (chiefly historical); a device for spreading powder (e.g., chalk dust in gymnastics, pesticide powder in gardening).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primary meaning is domestic tool. Secondary meanings (coat, powder applicator) are more specialized. Can be a hyponym of 'cloth' or 'tool'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'duster' is almost exclusively the cloth. In the US, 'duster' can also refer to a long, lightweight coat (e.g., a 'trench coat' style) or a 'feather duster'. The verb 'to dust' is identical.
Connotations
UK: strongly domestic, cleaning. US: can have domestic (feather duster) or Western/casual fashion (coat) connotations.
Frequency
The domestic tool sense is common in both. The coat sense is low-frequency and specific in the US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + wipe + [Object] + with + a duster[Subject] + use + a duster + to + cleanThe + duster + is + for + dustingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms with 'duster' as a noun. Related verb idiom: 'dust off' (revive something old).]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in cleaning/retail contexts (e.g., 'supply of dusters').
Academic
Rare, except in historical/sociological texts (e.g., 'the housemaid's duster').
Everyday
Very common in domestic/household contexts.
Technical
Specific use in agriculture ('crop duster' plane) or pest control ('powder duster').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She dusters the shelves every Tuesday.
- He's off to duster the picture frames.
American English
- She dusters the shelves every Tuesday.
- He's dustering the blinds.
adverb
British English
- [No adverbial form.]
American English
- [No adverbial form.]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjectival use of 'duster'. The phrase 'duster coat' exists as a compound noun.]
American English
- [No standard adjectival use of 'duster'. The phrase 'duster coat' exists as a compound noun.]
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I clean the table with a duster.
- This is my yellow duster.
- She quickly wiped the shelf with a microfiber duster.
- Could you pass me the duster, please?
- A good feather duster is essential for cleaning delicate ornaments.
- He wore a long linen duster over his clothes while riding.
- The agricultural pilot flew a biplane as a crop duster over the fields.
- The historical re-enactor donned a period-accurate duster before mounting his horse.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DUST + ER = The thing (-ER) you use for DUST.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TOOL IS AN EXTENSION OF THE HAND (the duster allows the hand to clean).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'дустер' (non-existent). The closest Russian word is 'тряпка для пыли'. Avoid direct phonetic translation.
- The coat meaning ('дастер') is a specific loanword in Russian for a style of coat, but this is not the primary English meaning.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'duster' to mean 'vacuum cleaner'.
- Incorrect plural: 'dusters' (correct), not 'duster'.
- Confusing 'duster' (noun) with 'to dust' (verb).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'duster' LEAST likely to refer to a cleaning tool?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its primary meaning is a cleaning tool (cloth or feather brush), but it can also mean a long coat (US) or a device for applying powder.
It's a low-flying airplane or its pilot, used to spray crops with pesticides or fertilizer.
Rarely in standard use. The verb is 'to dust'. 'Duster' as a verb is non-standard or dialectal.
A duster is specifically for removing dry dust. A rag is a general-purpose piece of cloth, often used for wet cleaning or wiping spills.