verb
pander
PAN-duh
verb
1
To act in a way that indulges or appeals to someone's weaknesses, desires, or lower tastes, often for personal gain.
"The politician was accused of pandering to voters' fears."
"Critics said the film pandered to the lowest common denominator."
noun
1
A person who arranges illicit sexual liaisons for others; a pimp.
"In the old play, the pander helps arrange the secret meeting between the lovers."
How to Use Pander
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMostly used today as a verb meaning to cater to people's weaknesses or base desires, especially for approval or profit.
Common pairings
pander to
pandering to the crowd
Word Forms
pandered past tense, panders plural, panders singular
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Etymology
From Pandare, a character in Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde who arranges the love affair between the two title characters — his name became a generic word for someone who enables others' desires.