Meaning & Definition of word "Pander"
Pander
/ˈpændər/
noun:
- 1. A person who panders, especially one who caters to the immoral desires of others.
- Example: She was often criticized as a pander, especially for her role in promoting scandalous content.
verb:
- 1. To gratify or indulge (an immoral or distasteful desire, need, or habit).
- Example: The politician was accused of pandering to the lowest common denominator to win votes.
- 2. To provide gratification for others' desires or to cater to their weaknesses.
- Example: The producer's decision to include more sensational scenes was seen as pandering to the audience's tastes.
- 3. To help supply a person with a lover or to act as a go-between in illicit relationships.
- Example: In the story, he played the role of a pander, facilitating meetings between the two secret lovers.
Etymology
●The term originates from the Middle English 'pandre', from the name 'Pandarus', a character in Chaucer's 'Troilus and Criseyde' who serves as a go-between.
Common Phrases and Expressions
pander to:
To cater to the needs or desires of someone, often in a self-serving way.
pandering politics:
Politics that are based on catering to popular desires rather than on principles.
pandering to the crowd:
Attempting to please a large audience, often by compromising one's values.
Related Words
pandering:
The act of satisfying or indulging someone else's desires.
panderer:
A person who panders or caters to desires, often in a dubious manner.
Slang Meanings of pander
Meaning: To sell out or compromise one's principles.
● Example Sentence: He really panders to the brands, completely forgetting his roots.
Meaning: To go along with the crowd to gain favor.
● Example Sentence: She panders to her friends' tastes just to fit in.