duster

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'duster' is correct and usable in written English.
'Duster' refers to a cloth or brush used for dusting and cleaning surfaces. Example: "I need to buy a new duster to clean the shelves in my bedroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The spirit of the two versions, though, is quite different: here, Cinderella's tree is conjured out of a mannequin, Jack's golden-egg-laying hen is a feather duster and Christmas-tree bauble, and Little Red is menaced by a mounted wolf's head.

The Economist

(See also crop duster).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Digambara monks use a peacock-feather duster to sweep the ground where they walk to avoid injuring any life-forms and drink water from a gourd.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The feather duster (Manayunkia speciosa) inhabits the Great Lakes and some rivers of the United States.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But Northwest is jam-packed with things that don't make sense: the bus stop in the middle of nowhere, the crop duster as the weapon of choice.

Independent

The modern media cycle is a cruel instrument, and it can be a swift and extremely painful transition from cock of the walk to feather duster (as Piers Morgan, who popularised this expression, will testify).

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

He had four hectares of the green-leaved shrub, enough to provide a living for his family of seven.That was until the weekend in mid-February when the police helicopters arrived, escorting a crop-duster that swooped low over the fields and sprayed the coca with glyphosate, a powerful agricultural weedkiller.

The Economist

The projects he has been involved with include a refrigerator built from clay, which uses no electricity yet can help keep vegetables fresh for several days, and a cheap crop-duster in the form of a sprayer mounted on a motorcycle.In this section Gone shopping Sino-Trojan horse The fight for Opel Tilting at windmills A snip at the price Born free Ding dong!

The Economist

Women, who mostly staffed telephone exchanges in the beginning, made natural speaking clocks, efficient and friendly, perm and pearls and feather-duster; but for that sense of Chronos or Saturn, or Father Time himself, it had to be Mr Cobby's voice.

The Economist

This week the stockmarkets showed they could make pretty good use of the knuckle-duster, too.It did not even take a fall on Wall Street to spook the Federal Reserve into slashing interest rates by three-quarters of a point on January 22nd; the American markets were closed for a public holiday the day before.

The Economist

The police crop-duster fleet is due to expand from 12 to 26 aircraft over the next nine months.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the tool, specify the type of "duster" (e.g., feather duster, microfiber duster) for clarity. When referring to a coat, consider the context and audience to ensure the term is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "duster" interchangeably with other cleaning tools like sponges or wipes. A "duster" is specifically designed for removing dust from surfaces. Ensure that you adapt the term to the right audience to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The word "duster" primarily functions as a noun, referring to an object used for cleaning or a type of long coat. Ludwig AI confirms this, with examples showing it used to describe both cleaning tools and garments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "duster" is a versatile term, functioning primarily as a noun. According to Ludwig AI, it commonly refers to either a cleaning tool or a style of long coat. Its usage is widespread across various contexts, from news and media to encyclopedias. When using "duster", it is important to provide context to clarify whether you are referring to the cleaning tool or the garment. Based on the examples analyzed, the term holds a neutral register and appears frequently in authoritative sources such as the The New Yorker and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dust cloth

Focuses specifically on the cloth used for dusting.

dusting rag

Similar to dust cloth, emphasizing the rag used.

feather duster

Specifies the type of duster using feathers.

Swiffer duster

Refers to a specific brand of dusting tool.

dust coat

Alternative name for a light overcoat or protective garment.

long coat

Highlights the garment aspect of "duster".

crop sprayer

Emphasizes the agricultural application of the term.

cleaning cloth

Broader term for cloths used in cleaning.

anti-dusting spray

Related to products for dusting.

soil fumigation

Highlights the agricultural application of the term.

FAQs

How can I use "duster" in a sentence?

You can use "duster" to refer to a cleaning tool, as in, "I used a feather "feather duster" to clean the bookshelf". It can also refer to a long coat, as in, "She wore a long "long coat" on the windy day".

What are some synonyms for "duster" when referring to a cleaning tool?

Synonyms include "dust cloth", "cleaning rag", or "dusting cloth". The specific term you choose will depend on the type of material and cleaning task.

What are some types of "duster" coats?

Types of "duster" coats include the classic western-style "riding duster", and more contemporary light overcoats made from silk or other flowing material.

Is it correct to use "duster" to refer to a person who dusts?

Yes, "duster" can refer to a person who dusts, though this usage is less common. It is more common to use "duster" to refer to the object used for dusting.