pander
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
-
to give gratification (to weaknesses or desires)
-
(archaic when tr) to act as a go-between in a sexual intrigue (for)
noun
-
a person who caters for vulgar desires, esp in order to make money
-
a person who procures a sexual partner for another; pimp
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
pandersimple
-
panderssimple
-
have panderedperfect
-
has panderedperfect
-
are panderingprogressive
-
am panderingprogressive
-
is panderingprogressive
-
have been panderingperfect progressive
-
has been panderingperfect progressive
Past
-
panderedsimple
-
had panderedperfect
-
was panderingprogressive
-
were panderingprogressive
-
had been panderingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of pander
First recorded in 1325–75; earlier pandar(e), generalized use of Middle English name Pandare Pandarus
Explanation
If a campaigning politician wants to pander to a crowd of pet owners, he might deliver a speech while embracing his own pet poodle. To pander is to appease or gratify, and often in a negative, self-serving way. The word pander began its infamous history as the name of various characters. Pandaro was a character in Boccaccio’s Filostrato. Pandarus was a character in Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde, as well as in Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida. These literary works all tell the tale of star-crossed lovers, and the namesake of pander is, essentially, a go-between whose motives don't seem entirely pure.
Vocabulary lists containing pander
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Scythe
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Dubbed the Pander Express, the sketch mocked how far Hollywood studios are willing to go in modifying their movies to pander to national pride and curry favour with Chinese officials.
From Economist • Oct. 15, 2015
None of the announced candidates can top Mario Cuomo, who scores a perfect 10 on the Pander Meter.
From Time Magazine Archive
Before Pander Bioff could be extradited, Governor Henry Horner of Illinois would have to sign a writ of requisition.
From Time Magazine Archive
A wounded Northern soldier, Charles Pander Willard was detailed to tend the lighthouse on Loggerhead Island of the Dry Tortugas reef.
From Time Magazine Archive
"Yes, indeed," said Pander, emphasising his reply with a decided nod of his head.
From Atlantis by Seltzer, Adele Szold
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
