powder
gb/pˈaʊdɚ/ us/pˈaʊdɚ/
A2
Inglese
~ 5200
Accezioni
0 accezioni
Sostantivo
A2
entity
1
dry substance in fine grains
A dry material in very small pieces, like flour, spice, or washing soap.
Schema d'uso:
some [type of] powder; [powder] in/into [container]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse "powder" and "dust". Use "powder" for products like flour, spices, and detergent, and "dust" mainly for dirt that collects on surfaces. Also, we usually say "some powder" or "a little powder", not "many powders" for one type.
Sinonimi
dust (Also very fine dry particles, but often suggests dirt or unwanted material.)
|
powdered substance (More explicit and formal; emphasizes the form rather than naming the material.)
|
granules (Refers to somewhat larger, more grain-like particles than typical powder.)
Contrari
liquid (Opposite physical form: a flowing substance instead of dry particles.)
|
solid block (Opposite form: a single piece instead of many loose grains.)
Collocazioni
washing powder
|protein powder
|baking powder
|chili powder
|milk powder
|in powder form
Temi
daily life
|food
|science
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Esempi
- She mixes the protein powder with water after her workout.
- Add a teaspoon of chili powder to give the soup more flavor.
- The pharmacist gave him an antibiotic powder to dissolve in water.
- There was a fine white powder all over the kitchen counter.
- The paint comes as a powder that you mix with water before using.
Esempi per chi studia
- He puts washing powder in the machine.
- I bought milk powder for the trip.
- There is cocoa powder on the cake.
- She saw white powder on the floor.
- The doctor gave me a small powder for my cold.
Sostantivo
B1
entity
2
cosmetic face powder
A kind of makeup in dry form that you put on your face to make the skin look smoother or less shiny.
Schema d'uso:
face/setting [powder]; apply [powder] to [face]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes say "make a powder" when they mean "put on powder". Use verbs like "wear", "use", or "put on" with makeup: "She puts on powder", not "She makes powder on her face."
Sinonimi
makeup (A more general word for all cosmetics, not specifically powder.)
|
foundation (A base facial cosmetic that may be liquid, cream, or powder; not always the same as face powder.)
Contrari
bare face (Refers to a face without any makeup, the opposite of one with powder applied.)
Collocazioni
face powder
|loose powder
|setting powder
|compact powder
|translucent powder
|pressed powder
Temi
daily life
|appearance
|fashion
|clothing
|daily_life
Esempi
- She dabbed a little powder on her nose to reduce the shine.
- I always finish my makeup with a light setting powder.
- He bought a compact powder that fits easily in his bag.
- The makeup artist chose a translucent powder for her oily skin.
- Your face powder is too light; it makes you look pale.
Esempi per chi studia
- She uses face powder every morning.
- I put some powder on my face before the party.
- This powder makes my skin feel soft.
- She carries powder in her bag.
- The powder on his face is the wrong color.
unknown
B2
entity
3
fresh light dry snow
New snow that is very light and dry, good for skiing.
Schema d'uso:
fresh [powder]; ski/ride [powder]
Errore comune:
Learners may think "powder" here is a verb. In skiing contexts, "powder" usually refers to a type of snow, used as a noun: "The powder is great today," not "We powder today."
Sinonimi
powder snow (A more explicit phrase; same meaning but slightly more descriptive.)
|
fresh snow (General for newly fallen snow; does not always imply the very light, dry quality of powder.)
Contrari
ice (A hard, slippery surface on slopes, the opposite of soft powder for skiing.)
|
slush (Wet, heavy snow, the opposite of light, dry powder.)
Collocazioni
fresh powder
|powder snow
|deep powder
|ride the powder
|perfect powder conditions
Temi
weather
|sports
|travel
Esempi
- The resort got thirty centimeters of fresh powder overnight.
- Skiers rushed to the mountain early to enjoy the deep powder.
- Riding through untouched powder feels like floating.
- Boarders love powder because it is soft when you fall.
- By noon the powder was tracked out and bumpy.
Esempi per chi studia
- There is fresh powder on the mountain today.
- Skiers like light powder on the snow.
- We woke up to deep powder after the storm.
- They ride their snowboards in the powder.
- The powder makes the ski run feel soft.
Sostantivo
technical
B2
entity
4
explosive powder for guns
A dry explosive material in small grains that makes guns or fireworks shoot.
Schema d'uso:
[type of] powder for [weapon/firework]
Errore comune:
Learners may think this is the same as normal "dust" or household powder. In this sense, "powder" specifically refers to an explosive material used in guns or fireworks.
Sinonimi
gunpowder (The standard term for the classic explosive powder used in guns and fireworks.)
|
propellant (Technical term for a substance that drives a bullet or rocket; not always in powder form.)
Contrari
inert material (A substance that does not react or explode, opposite of explosive powder.)
Collocazioni
gun powder
|black powder
|smokeless powder
|powder charge
|a trace of powder residue
Temi
weapons
|science
|technology
Esempi
- Investigators found traces of powder on his hands.
- The old rifle still smelled of powder after being fired.
- They carefully measured the powder before loading the ammunition.
- Moisture can ruin the powder and make the bullets misfire.
- The fireworks factory stored large amounts of explosive powder.
Esempi per chi studia
- There was gun powder on the table after the shot.
- They put too much powder in the bullet.
- The rain made the powder wet and useless.
- The police found powder inside the gun.
- He works in a factory that makes explosive powder.
Sostantivo
slang
B2
entity
5
powdered illegal drug
A dangerous illegal drug in powder form, usually cocaine.
Schema d'uso:
some [white/brown] powder; use/sell [powder]
Errore comune:
Learners may not realize that "powder" by itself can mean illegal drugs in some contexts. In news or crime stories, "powder" without a clear type often suggests a drug, especially if it is described as "white powder".
Sinonimi
cocaine (The specific drug most commonly meant when people say "powder" in this sense.)
|
hard drugs (A general term for strong illegal drugs; not limited to powdered forms.)
Contrari
sobriety (The state of not using drugs or alcohol, opposite of using powder drugs.)
Collocazioni
white powder
|snort powder
|bag of powder
|lines of powder
|a trail of powder
Temi
crime
|health
|society
|daily_life
Esempi
- The police found a small bag of white powder in his pocket.
- Traces of powder were discovered on the bathroom counter.
- He denied selling powder but admitted to using it occasionally.
- Customs officers tested the powder and confirmed it was cocaine.
- There was a fine line of powder on the glass table.
Esempi per chi studia
- The dog found white powder in the bag.
- Police tested the powder and said it was a drug.
- He went to jail for selling powder on the street.
- There was a line of powder on the table.
- They found brown powder in the box.
Verbo
B2
action
6
cover something with powder
To put a fine dry substance over something.
Schema d'uso:
to powder [something] with [powder]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes try to say "put powder on" for every case. While correct, native speakers often use the single verb "powder": "Powder the cake with sugar," rather than "Put powder on the cake."
Sinonimi
dust (Similar meaning when used as a verb ("dust with flour"), but "dust" is slightly more common in cooking English.)
|
sprinkle (General verb for dropping small amounts of a substance; does not always imply it is a powder.)
Contrari
wipe clean (To remove material from a surface, opposite of putting powder on it.)
Collocazioni
powder the baby's bottom
|powder the cake
|powder the surface
|lightly powder with sugar
|powder your hands
Temi
daily life
|food
|care
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- Lightly powder the cake with icing sugar before serving.
- She powdered the baby's bottom to prevent a rash.
- The baker powdered the worktop with flour.
- You should powder your hands with chalk before climbing.
- The pastry is powdered with cinnamon and sugar.
Esempi per chi studia
- He powders the cake with sugar.
- She powdered the baby after the bath.
- The cook powders the table with flour.
- I powder my hands so they are dry.
- They powder the cookies with cocoa.
Verbo
B2
action
7
put cosmetic powder on face
To put face powder on your skin as makeup.
Schema d'uso:
to powder [one's] face/nose
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes take "powder my nose" literally, but it usually means to go to the bathroom to fix makeup (and sometimes is a polite way to say you are going to the toilet).
Sinonimi
touch up (Informal verb for fixing or refreshing makeup; not limited to powder.)
|
apply makeup (More general phrase; includes powder and other cosmetics.)
Contrari
remove makeup (Opposite action: taking makeup off the face instead of putting powder on.)
Collocazioni
powder her nose
|powder your face
|lightly powdered cheeks
|carefully powdered skin
Temi
appearance
|daily life
|clothing
|daily_life
Esempi
- She went to the bathroom to powder her nose before the meeting.
- He quickly powdered his face before going on camera.
- The actress sat quietly while the stylist powdered her forehead.
- I need to powder my nose; my skin is too shiny.
- She powdered her cheeks to give them a matte finish.
Esempi per chi studia
- She goes to the mirror to powder her nose.
- The actor powders his face before the show.
- I powder my face when it looks too shiny.
- She powdered her cheeks with light powder.
- They powdered her nose before the photo.
Grammatica
Forma base
powder
IPA
GB/pˈaʊdɚ/
US/pˈaʊdɚ/
Sillabe e accento
powder (1 sillaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (powder)
Forme flesse
Noun
- Base: powder
- Plural: powder, powders
Verb
- Base: powder
- 3rd Person Singular: powders
- Present Participle: powdering
- Past: powdered
Famiglia di parole
Forms
powders
noun
powdering
verb
powdered
verb
Core family
powdery
adjective
Advanced or less common
powderiness
noun
Espressioni
dry powder
1/dɹˈaɪ pˈaʊdɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
available cash or resources
Money or other resources that are kept ready to use later when a good chance comes.
Esempi
- The fund still has plenty of dry powder to invest in new startups.
- Companies with dry powder can move quickly when prices fall.
- Investors are holding dry powder while they wait for better valuations.
keep your powder dry
1/kˈip jˈʊɹ pˈaʊdɚ dɹˈaɪ/
idiom
stay prepared and cautious
To stay prepared and careful, waiting for the right time to act.
Esempi
- Investors are keeping their powder dry until the market becomes clearer.
- She advised him to keep his powder dry and not react too quickly.
- For now, the team is keeping its powder dry and watching the situation.
powder keg
1/pˈaʊdɚ kˈɛɡ/
idiom
very tense, explosive situation
A situation that is very tense and can quickly become violent or very serious.
Esempi
- The region has become a political powder keg.
- With so many people angry, the office felt like a powder keg ready to explode.
- The stadium was a powder keg after the referee's decision.
powder one's nose
1/pˈaʊdɚ wˈʌnz nˈoʊz/
idiom
informal
go to the bathroom briefly
To go to the bathroom for a short time, often as a polite or joking way to say it, especially for women.
Esempi
- I'll be right back, I just need to powder my nose.
- She leaned over and whispered that she was going to powder her nose.
- He joked that he was going to powder his nose before the meeting.
powder room
1/pˈaʊdɚ ɹˈum/
fixed phrase
small bathroom, often for guests
A small bathroom, especially for guests, usually with just a toilet and a sink.
Esempi
- The powder room is down the hall on your right.
- They added a small powder room near the front door for visitors.
- Excuse me, could you tell me where the powder room is?
take a powder
1/tˈeɪk ə pˈaʊdɚ/
idiom
informal
leave or run off quickly
To leave quickly, often to escape from a problem or to avoid someone.
Esempi
- When the police arrived, he took a powder.
- She took a powder as soon as the meeting was over.
- He promised to help, but then took a powder when things got difficult.