slight dusting of snow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight dusting of snow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a light or minimal accumulation of snow on the ground or surfaces. Example: "After the night’s snowfall, we woke up to a slight dusting of snow covering the rooftops and lawns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The worst of Friday's bad weather was avoided and only a slight dusting of snow arrived.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Because its winters are usually mild, it is ill prepared for all but the slightest dusting of snow.

The New York Times

The slightest dusting of powdered sugar ruins the ratio of crispness to goo in a fresh street gaufre.

The New York Times - Arts

Both start with a dusting of snow.

The New Yorker

In rare instances a dusting of snow covers Buenos Aires itself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The ground is covered with a light dusting of snow.

Independent

With a gentle dusting of snow, perhaps even more so.

The New York Times - Travel

There wasn't even a dusting of snow.

The New York Times - Travel

(The chilly damp weather, with a light dusting of snow Thursday evening, didn't help).

The New York Times

Two weeks ago, there was a dusting of snow on top of the mountains.

The Guardian - Sport

A light dusting of snow was also reported in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia on Tuesday night.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slight dusting of snow" to paint a picture of a very light, almost unnoticeable snowfall. It's effective in setting a scene or describing a landscape without suggesting heavy winter conditions.

Common error

While descriptive, "slight dusting of snow" may sound too informal or poetic in technical reports or scientific papers. Consider using more neutral terms like "minimal snow accumulation" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight dusting of snow" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to depict a specific amount and type of snowfall. Ludwig's examples show its use in setting scenes and describing weather conditions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slight dusting of snow" is a descriptive noun phrase used to depict a minimal covering of snow. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While the phrase is infrequent, with limited examples in the dataset, it is commonly found in news and media contexts. The phrase evokes a visual image, painting a scene with a delicate and subtle amount of snowfall. Alternatives include "light snow cover" and "thin layer of snow". When using this phrase, consider the context, avoiding overuse in formal writing where more technical language may be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

light snow cover

Replaces 'dusting' with a more general term for covering.

thin layer of snow

Emphasizes the minimal thickness of the snow.

scant snowfall

Focuses on the lack of significant snow accumulation.

patchy snow cover

Highlights the uneven distribution of the snow.

delicate sprinkling of snow

Uses more poetic language to describe the snow.

mere trace of snow

Stresses the insubstantial amount of snow.

a touch of snow

Implies a very light and almost unnoticeable amount of snow.

minimal snow accumulation

More formal phrasing emphasizing the lack of buildup.

a skiff of snow

Uses a less common word for a light snowfall.

frosting of snow

Uses a metaphorical comparison to frosting to describe the snow.

FAQs

How can I use "slight dusting of snow" in a sentence?

You can use "slight dusting of snow" to describe a landscape where a minimal amount of snow has fallen, such as, "The mountains had a "slight dusting of snow", making them appear picturesque."

What is a synonym for "slight dusting of snow"?

Synonyms for "slight dusting of snow" include "light snow cover", "thin layer of snow", or "scant snowfall".

Is it appropriate to use "slight dusting of snow" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "slight dusting of snow" may be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider more neutral alternatives like "minimal snow accumulation".

What does "slight dusting of snow" actually mean?

"Slight dusting of snow" refers to a very light covering of snow, so minimal that it barely covers the ground or other surfaces.