What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pollen
Example
The bees collect pollen from flowers to make honey. [pollen: noun]
Example
I always sneeze a lot during spring because of the pollen in the air. [pollen: noun]
dust
Example
I need to dust my bookshelf because it's getting really dusty. [dust: verb]
Example
The carpenter created a lot of sawdust while working on the project. [dust: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dust is more commonly used than pollen in everyday language. Dust is a versatile word that can refer to various types of fine particles, while pollen is more specific and often associated with allergies and plant reproduction.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pollen and dust?
Both pollen and dust are neutral words that can be used in formal and informal contexts without any issues.