dusty

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. old-fashioned or not updated for a long time.

adj. figuratively used to describe things that are outdated, stale, or haven't been revised in a significant period.

“The company needs to change its dusty old rules to attract younger workers.”

“The professor's dusty lectures on 19th-century trade routes failed to engage a classroom of students raised on digital media.”

C1 · Advanced Slang · Informal

adj. a slang word for something that looks bad, ugly, or poor quality.

adj. a derogatory slang term used to describe someone or something as physically unattractive, inadequate, or of low social value.

“He showed up to the party in some dusty old trainers that were falling apart.”

“The online comments were filled with people calling the new design dusty, reflecting a harsh shift in youth fashion trends.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Music Slang · Informal

n. a slang term for an old song or record, especially from the past.

n. informal term for a vintage music recording, particularly in R&B or hip-hop circles, referring to 'dusting off' an old vinyl.

“The DJ played a few dusties from the 70s that got everyone dancing.”

“He spent his weekends digging through crates at the flea market, hoping to find a rare dusty to sample for his next track.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Military Technical · Informal

n. a nickname for a person in the navy or military who looks after supplies.

n. a traditional military or naval nickname for a supply petty officer or clerk.

“Go see the dusty if you need a new pair of boots from the warehouse.”

“The ship's dusty was known for his encyclopedic knowledge of the inventory, able to locate a spare valve in minutes.”