Definition

In a manner that is covered with dust or resembles dust.

Example

The old book sat dustily on the shelf, untouched for years.

Conversation

Did you notice how the books on that shelf look so dustily forgotten?

Yeah, it's like no one has touched them in years!

I wonder what stories they hold, hidden away dustily like that.

Maybe we should clean them up and see what we find!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Dustily → It is formed from "dust" (from Old English *dust*, meaning fine particles of earth or powder) and "-ily" (a suffix forming adverbs, meaning in a manner). The word "dustily" means in a manner that is covered with or resembles dust.

Memory Tip

Think of fine particles of earth ('dust') and how something can be done 'in a manner' ('-ily') that resembles being covered in dust.

Visually Confused Words