dusted with snow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dusted with snow" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something lightly covered or sprinkled with snow, often evoking a picturesque or serene image. An example could be: "The rooftops were dusted with snow, creating a winter wonderland." Alternative expressions include "covered in snow" and "blanketed with snow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

The next morning the ground was dusted with snow.

The New Yorker

A turbid river churned under wooded mountains dusted with snow.

The Washington Post

Halfway up, the mountains are dusted with snow.

The New Yorker

The tops of the trees were spindly, their lower boughs dusted with snow.

The New Yorker

In another, dusted with snow, she's halfway up a tree trunk in a forest.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They're in the car now, but everything looks different, dusted with snow.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

The Zodiac passes under a sheer cliff whose tussock grass is dusted with new snow and bearded with drooping icicles.

The New York Times - Magazine

While Vonn was sidelined in the first run, her good friend Maria Riesch of Germany won her second gold medal of the Vancouver Games, skiing two smooth runs despite a soft course continually dusted with new snow.

The New York Times - Sports

Tourism manager Dominique Geissberger is looking out from her office in the small Swiss alpine ski resort of Villars at forests dusted with fresh snow and spectacular mountains dazzling in the winter sunshine.

The Guardian

A replica of the Pendleton engine room, floodable and hydraulically shake-able, exact down to the grime on the gauges and rust on the pipes, was just a short hike away, as was a mock-up of the Chatham Coast Guard Station, dusted with unmelting artificial snow.

The New York Times

It might have been at the moment in the market square when the wind blew everyone hither and thither; it could have been when Lila's hat became a distant mountain peak dusted with petals of snow, or maybe it was when Lila is glimpsed climbing the vertical drop of the mountain.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Apply it to landscapes, buildings, or objects to emphasize that the snow is light and does not obscure the underlying shape.

Common error

Avoid using this phrase when describing heavy accumulation or blizzards. Because 'dusting' implies a very thin layer (like flour or dust), using it for deep snow creates a logical contradiction that confuses the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dusted with snow" primarily functions as a participle phrase that acts like an adjective to modify nouns. According to Ludwig AI, it is most often used to describe landscapes, mountains, or urban elements. It follows a passive structure where the subject has been 'dusted' by the natural action of snowfall.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Travel & Lifestyle

12%

Wiki & General Knowledge

6%

Less common in

Science & Technical

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "dusted with snow" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a light sprinkling of snow. Ludwig AI highlights its frequent use in prestigious publications to add a layer of descriptive detail to settings ranging from mountain peaks to city streets. Unlike heavier descriptions like "buried" or "blanketed", this phrase emphasizes lightness and aesthetic appeal. It is a safe and elegant choice for writers looking to convey a sense of winter without implying the severity of a storm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dusted in snow

A common prepositional variation that is functionally identical in most contexts.

powdered with snow

Suggests a finer, almost culinary texture similar to powdered sugar.

sprinkled with snow

Emphasizes a sparse or intermittent distribution of snow flakes.

coated with a thin layer of snow

Provides a more technical or precise description of the accumulation level.

lightly covered in snow

A more literal and less metaphorical description of the same condition.

flecked with snow

Indicates tiny spots or small patches rather than a continuous thin layer.

blanketed with snow

Implies a much heavier, thicker, and more uniform layer of snow.

capped with snow

Specifically refers to snow sitting on top of an object, like a mountain peak or a fence post.

strewn with snow

Suggests a more disorganized or wind-blown dispersal of snow.

shrouded in snow

Carries a more mysterious or heavy tone, suggesting the object is partially hidden.

FAQs

What is the difference between "dusted with snow" and "covered in snow"?

While "dusted with snow" implies a very light, almost translucent layer, "covered in snow" suggests a more complete and potentially deeper accumulation that obscures the surface.

Is "dusted in snow" also correct?

Yes, "dusted in snow" is a valid variation often used in similar contexts, though "with" is slightly more frequent in literary descriptions found in Ludwig.

When should I use "powdered with snow" instead?

You might choose "powdered with snow" if you want to emphasize the fine, dry, or soft texture of the snow, whereas "dusted" focuses more on the thinness of the layer.

Is "dusted with snow" considered formal?

It is considered a neutral to literary phrase. For a more technical or formal report, you might use "light accumulation of snow".