# Saunders

/ˈsɔndɝz/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/saunders
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a surname

noun · CEFR B2

a common family name in English-speaking countries, originally coming from the name Alexander.

For teachers: a patronymic surname of English and Scottish origin, derived from the medieval given name Saunder, a diminutive of Alexander.

- George Saunders is a famous American writer known for his short stories.
- The Saunders family has lived in this part of the county for several generations, according to the local parish records.

### 2. sandalwood

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old word for sandalwood, a sweet-smelling wood used for its scent or as a red dye.

For teachers: an archaic variant of 'sanders', denoting the wood of the sandalwood tree, historically used as a dye or a medicinal ingredient.

- The old recipe called for a pinch of red saunders to give the sauce a deep colour.
- In medieval culinary manuscripts, red saunders was frequently employed as a colouring agent to produce a vibrant crimson hue in festive dishes.

## Examples

- The young saunders assisted the doctor during the long surgery.
- In the nineteenth-century hospital, a saunders was responsible for preparing bandages and monitoring patients overnight.
- The historical novel depicts the life of a weary saunders, highlighting the grueling hours and rudimentary medical knowledge expected of assistants in that era.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.