What does powder mean?
Powder is a common word for material composed of fine, loose particles. It may describe an everyday substance such as powdered sugar, talc, or ground spices, as well as products applied to the skin, including face powder and baby powder. The word can also refer to gunpowder, an explosive mixture historically important in warfare and fireworks. In North American English, powder sometimes describes snow that is loose, dry, and uncompacted. As a verb, powder means to grind something into fine particles or to put powder on something, often the face. The word has a formal and technical history: it comes through Old French from Latin, where its ancestor referred to dust. Its family includes pulverize, meaning to reduce something to powder, and powdery, meaning full of or resembling powder. Because powder can refer both to the physical material and to a product prepared in that form, its meaning depends heavily on context.
A substance consisting of very fine, loose particles.
"Add a pinch of powder to the batter."
A cosmetic or medicinal preparation made in a fine, dry form.
"She smoothed a little face powder over her cheeks."
An explosive mixture, especially the traditional mixture used in firearms and fireworks.
"The magazine described the sound as being like a charge of gunpowder."
To reduce a substance to fine particles, or to cover or dust something with powder.
"The recipe instructs you to powder the almonds in a food processor."
Used when referring to different types of powder, or to several individual portions or substances in powdered form.
"The shop sells a variety of medicinal powders."
The word powder hides a long history: it comes from Latin for dust, the same root behind pulverize.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does powder come from?
The word entered English through Old French poudre, meaning “dust” or “powder.” It ultimately derives from Latin pulvis, “dust,” with related forms including pulveris and pulvere. The root also appears in English words such as pulverize, meaning to reduce something to a fine powder, and pulverulent, meaning consisting of or covered with powder.
Related word forms
How powder is actually used
In general use, powder often suggests a dry, finely divided substance. In North American English, it can also mean loose, dry snow. The expression “take a powder” is informal and means to leave quickly or go away.
Easily confused with powder
Powder is a dry substance made of fine particles, whereas poured describes a liquid that has been transferred from one container to another.