fan Meaning & Definition
What Does Fan Mean?
Fan is used as a symbol meaning ISO 639-2 & ISO 639-3 language code for Fang (Bantu). As a noun, it means A hand-held device consisting of concertinaed material, or slats of material, gathered together at one end, that may be opened out into the shape of a sector of a circle and waved back and forth in order to move air towards oneself and cool oneself. As a verb, it means To blow air on (something) by means of a fan (hand-held, mechanical or electrical) or otherwise.
Fan: Key Facts
| Part of speech | symbol, noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /æ/ |
| Synonyms | devotee, buff and afficionado |
| Antonyms | anti-fan and hater |
| Plural | fans |
| Verb forms | fans, fanning, fanned |
Fan Definition (Symbol)
- ISO 639-2 & ISO 639-3 language code for Fang (Bantu).
Fan as a Noun
- A hand-held device consisting of concertinaed material, or slats of material, gathered together at one end, that may be opened out into the shape of a sector of a circle and waved back and forth in order to move air towards oneself and cool oneself.
- An electrical or mechanical device for moving air, used for cooling people, machinery, etc.
He didn't switch on the fan because the temperature was 15 degrees Celsius.
- The action of fanning; agitation of the air.
- Anything resembling a hand-held fan in shape, e.g., a peacock’s tail or a leaf of fan coral.
- An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away.
- A small vane or sail, used to keep the large sails of a smock mill always in the direction of the wind.
- A group of overlapping cards exposed in various patience games.
- A section of a tree having a finite number of branches.
Fan as a Verb
- To blow air on (something) by means of a fan (hand-held, mechanical or electrical) or otherwise.
We enjoyed standing at the edge of the cliff, being fanned by the wind.
- To slap (a behind, especially).
- To move or spread in multiple directions from one point, in the shape of a hand-held fan.
- To dispel by waving a hand-held fan.
I attempted to fan the disagreeable odour out of the room.
- To perform a maneuver that involves flicking the top rear of an old-style gun.
- To invigorate, like flames when fanned.
- To winnow grain.
- To apply (the air brake) many times in rapid succession.
Fanning the brakes results in the gradual depletion of the pressure in the cars' brake reservoirs, which can eventually cause a loss of all braking.
- To strike out.
- To strike out (a batter).
- To fail to properly shoot or pass the puck.
Noun
- A person who is fond of something or someone, especially an admirer of a performer or aficionado of a sport.
I am a big fan of libraries.
Noun
- A unit of length, equivalent to 0.1 tsun (0.01 chek), or 0.00371475 metres.
Noun
- Anything resembling a hand-held fan in shape, e.g., a peacock’s tail.
Verb
- (usually to fan out) To move or spread in multiple directions from one point, in the shape of a hand-held fan.
- (metaphoric) To invigorate, like flames when fanned.
Synonyms of Fan
Fan synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Fan
Fan in a Sentence
He didn't switch on the fan because the temperature was 15 degrees Celsius.
We enjoyed standing at the edge of the cliff, being fanned by the wind.
I attempted to fan the disagreeable odour out of the room.
Fanning the brakes results in the gradual depletion of the pressure in the cars' brake reservoirs, which can eventually cause a loss of all braking.
I am a big fan of libraries.
I am a big fan of cricket.
Word Forms & Grammar
fan (plural fans)
fan (third-person singular simple present fans, present participle fanning, simple past and past participle fanned)
fan (plural fans or (colloquial) fen)
fan (plural fan)
Words That Rhyme With Fan
Origin of Fan
Origin 1: Inherited from Middle English fan, inherited from Old English fann (“a winnowing, fan”), derived from Latin vannus (“fan for winnowing grain”), derived from Proto-Indo-European *h₂weh₁- (“to blow”).
Origin 2: More at winnow.
Origin 3: Clipping of fanatic, originally in US baseball slang. Possibly influenced by fancy (“group of sport or hobby enthusiasts”), i.e. fancy boy (“fan”).
Origin 4: From Cantonese 分. Doublet of fen and hoon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fan
Is fan a symbol or a noun?
Fan is mainly used as a symbol, but it can also be used as a noun and a verb.
What is another word for fan?
Close synonyms of fan are devotee, buff and afficionado. See the full list of fan synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of fan?
The opposite of fan can be expressed with words like anti-fan and hater.
What is the plural of fan?
The plural of fan is fans.
What is the past tense of fan?
The past tense of fan is fanned. The present participle is fanning.