Did you know?
How did dander acquire its "temper" sense? There are several theories, though the evidence is inconclusive. It has been proposed that the meaning comes from the image of an angry person tearing out their hair by the fistful, scattering dandruff in the process. Some think it comes from a West Indian word dander, which refers to a kind of ferment and suggests "rising" anger (in English, ferment can mean "a state of unrest or excitement"). Others have suggested that the "anger" sense comes from the Dutch phrase op donderen, meaning "to burst into a sudden rage."
Examples of dander in a Sentence
Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
That includes dust, pollen, mold spores, smoke particles and pet dander.
—Ryan Brennan
may 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026
Wash these items in hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit) for 15 minutes to significantly reduce dust mite allergens and remove pet dander, mold, and pollen before storage.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 16 May 2026
Pets Exposure to dogs, cats, or rodents can trigger an asthma attack in people with an allergy to animal dander.
—Sanja Jelic, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dander
Cite this Entry
“Dander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dander. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dander
noun
