# powder

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpaʊ.də(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #4,699

## Definitions
1. The fine particles which are the result of reducing a dry substance by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or the result of decay; dust.
2. A mixture of fine dry, sweet-smelling particles applied to the face or other body parts, to reduce shine or to alleviate chaffing.
3. An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.; gunpowder.
4. Ellipsis of powder snow; light, dry, fluffy snow.
5. Ellipsis of powder blue, a color.

## Etymology
From Middle English poudre, pouder, pouldre, borrowed from Old French poudre, poldre, puldre, from Latin pulverem, accusative singular of Latin pulvis (“dust, powder”). Doublet of pulver. Compare pollen (“fine flour”), polverine, pulverize.

## Easily confused with
- **power** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/powder-vs-power)
- **Powers** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/powder-vs-powers)
- **powders** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/powder-vs-powders)
- **powdery** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/powder-vs-powdery)
- **powdered** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/powder-vs-powdered)
- **poker** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/poker-vs-powder)
- **poser** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/poser-vs-powder)
- **poster** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/poster-vs-powder)
- **potter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/potter-vs-powder)
- **porter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/porter-vs-powder)
- **ponder** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ponder-vs-powder)
- **popper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/popper-vs-powder)
- **Posner** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/posner-vs-powder)
- **pewter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pewter-vs-powder)
- **pander** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pander-vs-powder)
- **pooper** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pooper-vs-powder)
- **pounder** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pounder-vs-powder)

## Common misspellings (9)
`opwder`, `podwer`, `powdder`, `powderr`, `powdre`, `powedr`, `powwder`, `ppowder`, `pwoder`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/powder