Mineral dust is an important aerosol specie in the atmosphere with impacts on the Earth’s climate system through its interactions with radiation, clouds, hydrology, atmospheric chemistry, and biogeochemistry. Because dust sizes span more than three orders of magnitude in diameter and dust properties are size-dependent, most previous studies separate dust particles into different classes – broadly defined as fine and coarse dust – which could produce distinct impacts on the Earth system. Here, we present a comprehensive review of coarse dust and highlight its unique impacts on several aspects of the Earth system. We will show general inconsistencies in the terminology and diameter ranges currently attributed to dust size classes across the literature and propose a uniform classification that defines coarse and super-coarse dust as particles between 2.5 - 10 µm and 10 - 62.5 µm in diameter, respectively. Furthermore, we will examine several lines of observational evidence that indicate coarse and super-coarse dust particles are transported much farther than previously expected and that the abundance of these particles is substantially underestimated in current global models. Despite the limitations in the representation of coarse and super-coarse dust aerosols, we will show that these particles are an essential component of the Earth system. We will conclude with pathways and recommendations to facilitate a better constraint on coarse and super-coarse dust aerosols in future studies and a richer understanding of their impacts on the Earth system.