fine dust

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   Tiny solid particles floating in the air, especially those small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs.

   Grammar: Uncountable: no plural and no 'a' — say 'fine dust', not 'a fine dust'.

   Patterns

   • fine dust from something
   • levels of fine dust
   • fine dust in the air

   Levels of fine dust in the city rise sharply on still winter days.

   The masks are designed to filter out fine dust from traffic and construction sites.

   Scientists link long-term exposure to fine dust with heart and lung problems.

2. 2noununcountabletechnical

   Very small particles of powder produced by cutting, grinding or sanding a material.

   Grammar: Also uncountable; often followed by 'from' to name the source.

   Patterns

   • fine dust from something
   • produce fine dust
   • a layer of fine dust

   Sanding the old floor left a layer of fine dust over everything.

   Workers wore respirators because the saw created fine dust from the stone.

Common combinations

fine dust levels

The app reports fine dust levels near your home.

fine dust particles

Fine dust particles can pass through ordinary cloth masks.

filter out fine dust

This vacuum is built to filter out fine dust.

exposure to fine dust

Long exposure to fine dust can damage the lungs.

Synonyms and how they differ

particulate matter

The technical term used in science and official reports; fine dust is the plainer everyday phrase.

soot

Soot is specifically the black powder left by burning, while fine dust can come from many sources.

Word family

dust noun

The general word for dry powder made of tiny particles.

dusty adjective

Covered with or full of dust.

Commonly confused: fine dust or sawdust?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “fine dust”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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