Definition

1. Noun:
   • Loose scales shed from the scalp: Small, white or grayish flakes of dead skin that detach from the scalp and are often visible in the hair or on the shoulders.
   • A condition of the scalp: The common, typically non-inflammatory condition characterized by the excessive shedding of these dead skin cells from the scalp.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He brushed the dandruff off the shoulders of his dark suit jacket.
  • Using a specialized shampoo can help control dandruff.
  • A few flakes of dandruff were visible in her hair.

Advanced Usage

• "to have dandruff": to suffer from the condition.
  • He has struggled with dandruff since he was a teenager.
• "dandruff shampoo" / "anti-dandruff shampoo": a shampoo formulated to treat the condition.
  • She uses an anti-dandruff shampoo twice a week.

Variants and Related Words

• Dandruffy (adj, informal): Having or resembling dandruff.
  • He was embarrassed by his dandruffy collar.

Synonyms

• Flakes (informal, in this context): Often used to refer to dandruff.
• Scalp flakes: A descriptive synonym.
• Pityriasis capitis: The medical/technical term for common dandruff.

Notes on Meaning

• Dandruff refers specifically to the shed skin from the scalp. It is not typically used for dry skin on other parts of the body.
• It is generally considered a minor cosmetic or dermatological issue, not a serious disease. Severe, inflamed, or oily scaling may be a separate condition (e.g., seborrheic dermatitis).

Noun

1. loose scales shed from the scalp
   • I could see the dandruff on her shoulders
2. a condition in which white scales of dead skin are shed by the scalp