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Uncommon

fan

The correct spelling is fan.

How to pronounce fan

/fæn/
noun

IPA: /fæn/

Say it like: Fan

The correct spelling is fan. 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 wav… For example: "We enjoyed standing at the edge of the cliff, being fanned by the wind."

Usage Examples

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.

I am a big fan of libraries.

Meanings

noun

  1. 1.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.
  2. 2.An electrical or mechanical device for moving air, used for cooling people, machinery, etc.
  3. 3.The action of fanning; agitation of the air.
  4. 4.Anything resembling a hand-held fan in shape, e.g., a peacock’s tail.
  5. 5.An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away.

verb

  1. 1.To blow air on (something) by means of a fan (hand-held, mechanical or electrical) or otherwise.
  2. 2.To slap (a behind, especially).
  3. 3.(usually to fan out) To move or spread in multiple directions from one point, in the shape of a hand-held fan.
  4. 4.To dispel by waving a hand-held fan.
  5. 5.To perform a maneuver that involves flicking the top rear of an old-style gun.

Similar words

Words related in meaning — check their spelling too.

View synonyms & usage examples