VocabDictionary

fan

/fĂŚn/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A device with rotating blades or a handheld object used to create a current of air for cooling or ventilation.

Example Sentences:
  • “The ceiling fan helped circulate the air in the hot room.”
  • “She used a paper fan to cool herself during the outdoor wedding.”
2.noun

A person who has a strong interest in or admiration for a particular person, group, or activity.

Example Sentences:
  • “He has been a dedicated fan of the band since their first album.”
  • “The stadium was packed with thousands of cheering fans.”
3.verb

To blow air on someone or something, or to spread something out in the shape of an open fan.

Example Sentences:
  • “She fanned herself with a magazine to escape the humidity.”
  • “The peacock fanned its tail feathers to attract a mate.”
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “fan”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Old English 'fann', which comes from the Latin 'vannus' (a winnowing basket used for separating chaff from grain). The sense of an 'enthusiast' is a 19th-century American English shortening of 'fanatic', likely influenced by the popularity of baseball.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a 'fan' at a sports game cheering so loudly they are a 'fanatic'.

Common Collocations & Phrases
Rhyming Words

Frequently Asked Questions About “fan”

1. What is the meaning of “fan” in English?

In English, fan (noun) is defined as: “A device with rotating blades or a handheld object used to create a current of air for cooling or ventilation.”.

2. How do you use “fan” in a sentence?

“The ceiling fan helped circulate the air in the hot room.”

3. What are English synonyms of “fan”?

Common synonyms include:enthusiast,admirer,supporter,ventilator,blower

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “fan”?

Derived from the Old English 'fann', which comes from the Latin 'vannus' (a winnowing basket used for separating chaff from grain). The sense of an 'enthusiast' is a 19th-century American English shortening of 'fanatic', likely influenced by the popularity of baseball.