Phrase guide

gather dust

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To remain unused for a long period of time.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Since he bought the book, it's just been sitting on the bookshelf and gathering dust.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: verstoffen — Translations
  • Finnish: pölyttyä — Translations
  • Finnish: pölyyntyä — Translations
  • French: prendre la poussière — Translations
  • German: verstauben — Translations
  • Italian: prendere polvere — Translations
  • Polish: zbierać kurz — Translations
  • Polish: zebrać kurz — Translations
  • Russian: пыли́ться (pylítʹsja) — Translations
  • Russian: запыли́ться (zapylítʹsja) — Translations
  • Spanish: acumular polvo — Translations
  • Spanish: criar polvo — Translations