Definition

Small, white or gray flakes of dead skin that come off the scalp, often causing itching.

Example

He noticed dandruff on his shoulders after scratching his head.

Conversation

I noticed you have some dandruff in your hair.

Yeah, it's been bothering me lately.

Have you tried any special shampoos for dandruff?

I’m thinking about it; I need to find something that works.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Dandruff originates from Middle English 'dandrif', which is a combination of 'dand' (meaning to shake) and 'ruff' (meaning a fragment or flake). The word refers to the flakes of skin that are shaken off from the scalp.

Memory Tip

Think of shaking off 'flakes' ('ruff') from the scalp, which helps you remember that dandruff refers to those flakes of skin.

Visually Confused Words