# powder

/ˈpaʊdɝ/ (US) · /pˈaʊdɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/powder
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. fine dry particles

noun · CEFR B1

a dry substance that has been crushed into very small, fine pieces.

For teachers: a dry substance composed of fine, loose particles produced by grinding, crushing, or disintegrating a solid.

- The recipe says to mix the cocoa powder with warm milk first.
- The chemist carefully weighed the white powder before adding it to the solution to ensure the reaction remained stable.

### 2. cosmetics

noun · CEFR B1

a soft, dry substance you put on your skin to make it look smooth or less oily.

For teachers: a cosmetic preparation in the form of fine particles, typically applied to the face to reduce shine or conceal blemishes.

- She applied a little face powder to stop her skin from looking shiny.
- The makeup artist used a translucent setting powder to ensure the actor's look remained matte under the intense studio lights.

### 3. gunpowder

noun · CEFR B2

an explosive substance used in guns or for blasting rocks.

For teachers: an explosive mixture, especially gunpowder, used as a propellant in firearms or for industrial blasting.

- The soldiers had to keep their powder dry during the rainstorm.
- Historical accounts suggest that the quality of the powder used in the cannons was often inconsistent, leading to frequent misfires.

### 4. fresh snow

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

light, dry, and fluffy snow that is perfect for skiing.

For teachers: a term for light, dry, uncompacted snow, highly valued in alpine sports for its low moisture content.

- We woke up early to be the first ones to ski on the fresh powder.
- After the blizzard, the mountain was covered in three feet of pristine powder, attracting skiers from across the region.

### 5. to sprinkle

verb · CEFR B2

to cover something with a thin layer of fine particles.

For teachers: to sprinkle or cover a surface with a powdery substance.

- The baker started to powder the cakes with sugar before serving them.
- The chef chose to powder the dessert with a fine layer of cinnamon to complement the apple filling.

### 6. to crush into particles

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to crush or grind a solid object until it becomes a fine dust.

For teachers: to reduce a solid substance to fine particles through mechanical action such as grinding or pounding.

- The machine will powder the dried herbs in just a few seconds.
- In the laboratory, the sample must be powdered to a specific micron size to ensure an accurate chemical analysis.

## Examples

- She put some white powder on the cake.
- The chemist ground the crystals into a fine powder before adding them to the liquid solution.
- Freshly fallen snow had covered the mountain in a thick layer of dry powder, creating perfect conditions for the morning's first group of skiers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.