What does "powder" mean?
The fine particles which are the result of reducing a dry substance by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or the result of decay; dust.
Powder
/ˈpuː.dɐ/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The fine particles which are the result of reducing a dry substance by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or the result of decay; dust.
- Grammar: powder is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: abrade, abscond, absquatulate, air pollution.
- Useful contrasts: dissolved solute in water, ampuls, briquets.
- Usage evidence: You have to take this powder after each meal.
How to use "powder"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "powder" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "powder" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "powder" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "powder" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "powder" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abrade" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "powder", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The fine particles which are the result of reducing a dry substance by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or the result of decay; dust. countable, uncountable
"Let me goe grin'd their Bones to powder ſmall, […]"
- 2 any of various cosmetic or medical preparations dispensed in the form of a pulverized powder wordnet
- 3 A mixture of fine dry, sweet-smelling particles applied to the face or other body parts, to reduce shine or to alleviate chaffing. countable, uncountable
"She was redolent of violet sachet powder, and had warm, soft, white hands, but she danced divinely, moving as smoothly as the tide coming in."
- 4 a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized wordnet
- 5 An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder. countable, uncountable
"Tut, tut, good enough to toſſe: foode for Powder, foode for Powder: they'll fill a Pit, as well as better: tuſh man, mortall men, mortall men."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur in a 75:15:10 ratio which is used in gunnery, time fuses, and fireworks wordnet
- 7 Ellipsis of powder snow; light, dry, fluffy snow. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, informal, uncountable
- 8 Ellipsis of powder blue, a color. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To reduce to fine particles; to pound, grind, or rub into a powder. transitive
"25 October 2016, Bettina Elias Siegel writing in New York Times, Should the Food Industry Sneak Vegetables Into Food? In desperation, they dried fruits and vegetables in an old food dehydrator they had, then used their coffee grinder to powder the produce..."
- 2 apply powder to wordnet
- 3 To sprinkle with powder, or as if with powder. transitive
"to powder one's hair"
- 4 make into a powder by breaking up or cause to become dust wordnet
- 5 To use powder on the hair or skin. intransitive
"1778-1787, Frances Burney, The Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay If she is grave, and reads steadily on, she dismisses me, whether I am dressed or not; but at all times she never forgets to send me away while she is powdering, with a consideration not to spoil my clothes"
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 To turn into powder; to become powdery. intransitive
"Ample evidence is brought forward to show that the higher incidence of chronic interstitial nephritis in Queensland is due to lead paint on the verandahs and railings of the houses, which powders easily during the long Australian summer."
- 7 To sprinkle with salt; to corn, as meat. obsolete, transitive
- 8 To depart suddenly; to "take a powder". intransitive, slang
"Miss Gibson appeared in the empty hall, her eyes wide and shocked. The little man who had started all the trouble with his singing telegram had powdered."
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
- 2 Acronym of Protocol for Web Description Resources. Internet, abbreviation, acronym, alt-of
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"You have to take this powder after each meal."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "powder"?
Common synonyms include: abrade, abscond, absquatulate, air pollution, ash, ashes.
How do you use "powder" in a sentence?
You have to take this powder after each meal.
How do you pronounce "powder"?
Pronounced /ˈpuː.dɐ/.
Etymology
From Middle English poudre, pouder, pouldre, borrowed from Old French poudre, poldre, puldre, from Latin pulverem, accusative singular of Latin pulvis (“dust, powder”). Doublet of pulver. Compare pollen (“fine flour”), polverine, pulverize.