Aqueous dispersions comprising microfine metal oxide particles and dispersion auxiliaries, wherein, as dispersion auxiliaries, at least one of the compounds of the general formula (I) ##STR00001## in which M is hydrogen, monovalent or divalent metal cation, ammonium ion, organic amine radical; a is 1, or where M is a divalent metal cation, is 1/2; X is likewise --OM.sub.a or --O--(C.sub.pH.sub.2pO).sub.q--R.sup.l where R.sup.1.dbd.H, aliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 1-20 carbon atoms, cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon radical having 5 to 8 carbon atoms, optionally substituted aryl radical having 6 to 14 carbon atoms, p=2 to 4, q=0 to 100, --NHR.sup.2 and/or --NR.sup.2.sub.2 where R.sup.2.dbd.R.sup.1 or --CO--NH.sub.2; Y is O, NR.sup.2; A.sup.1 is ethylene radical, propylene radical, isopropylene radical, butylene radical; m is 10 to 30; n is 0 to 50; and k is 10 to 30, where the summ+k is in the range from 20 to 60, is co-used.