Definition

A small scale or flake that comes from the skin, often seen as dandruff.

Example

After washing his hair, he noticed some furfur on his shoulders.

Conversation

Have you ever noticed furfur on your shoulders after wearing a black shirt?

Yeah, it can be really annoying when that happens.

I read that it’s just dead skin cells, but it still looks bad.

True, I guess we just need to be more careful with our hair care!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Furfur originates from Latin 'furfur' (meaning bran or chaff). The word refers to the fine, dry flakes of skin that can be shed from the scalp, resembling the appearance of bran.

Memory Tip

Think of 'bran' in Latin, which helps you remember that 'furfur' refers to the flakes that come off the skin, similar to how bran is the outer layer of grains.

Visually Confused Words