noun
dandruff
DAND-ruhf
Dandruff (noun) means Small white flakes of dead skin that shed from the scalp. Example: “He switched shampoos to try to get rid of his dandruff.”
noun
1
Small white flakes of dead skin that shed from the scalp.
"Dandruff is on my collar again."
"He switched shampoos to try to get rid of his dandruff."
How to use dandruff
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe flaky dead skin that comes off the scalp, often treated with special shampoo.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
dandruff shampoo
flaky dandruff
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Word forms
- Plural
- dandruffs
- Third person singular
- dandruffs
- Past tense
- dandruffed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He switched shampoos to try to get rid of his _____.
Etymology
First recorded in the 1500s; the second half of the word comes from an old Northern English word for a scab, related to Old Norse hrufa.
Class of 1500
dandruff joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “dandruff” mean?
The word “dandruff” means small white flakes of dead skin that shed from the scalp. In plain terms, the flaky dead skin that comes off the scalp, often treated with special shampoo.
How do you pronounce “dandruff”?
“Dandruff” is pronounced DAND-ruhf (/ˈdændɹəf/ in IPA).
How do you use “dandruff” in a sentence?
Here is “dandruff” used in a sentence: “He switched shampoos to try to get rid of his dandruff.”
What part of speech is “dandruff”?
“Dandruff” is a noun.
Where does the word “dandruff” come from?
The word “dandruff” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Old Norse. First recorded in the 1500s; the second half of the word comes from an old Northern English word for a scab, related to Old Norse hrufa.
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