noun A2 Elementary Common

Pan

pan

Pan (noun) means a wide, shallow metal container used for cooking food over heat. Example: “She heated some oil in the pan before adding the onions.”

noun

A wide, shallow metal container used for cooking food over heat.

"She heated some oil in the pan before adding the onions."

"The cake stuck to the bottom of the pan."

verb

To criticize something harshly, especially a film, book, or performance.

"Critics panned the movie for its weak script."

"The restaurant was panned in a scathing online review."

To move a camera slowly across a scene.

"The camera panned across the crowd before the concert began."

"She panned left to catch the sunset over the hills."

To turn out well; to be successful (usually as "pan out").

"His plan to start a business panned out better than expected."

"Not every idea we try is going to pan out."

How to Use Pan

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost often the cooking container, but also used for harshly criticizing something or for a plan working out.

Common mistake

The film sense ("critics panned it") and the "pan out" sense (things worked out) are opposite in tone — don't mix them up.

Common pairings

pan out pan the camera a frying pan critics panned it

Word Forms

panned past tense, panned past tense, panned past tense, Pans plural, pans plural, pans plural, pans singular, pans singular, pans singular

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Fill the Gap

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She heated some oil in the _____ before adding the onions.

Etymology

From Old English panne, the same root that gives us "pancake" and "saucepan."

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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skillet slate trash rubbish lambaste

Related Words

bad hit lie waste tight bullshit grey gray

Rhymes for Pan

span Japan taipan bedpan Saipan Stepan dustpan wingspan marzipan lifespan saucepan Greenspan

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Pan” mean?

The word “Pan” means a wide, shallow metal container used for cooking food over heat. In plain terms, most often the cooking container, but also used for harshly criticizing something or for a plan working out.

How do you pronounce “Pan”?

“Pan” is pronounced pan (/pæn/ in IPA).

How do you use “Pan” in a sentence?

Here is “Pan” used in a sentence: “She heated some oil in the pan before adding the onions.”

What part of speech is “Pan”?

Depending on how it is used, “Pan” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “Pan” come from?

The word “Pan” comes from Old English. From Old English panne, the same root that gives us "pancake" and "saucepan.".

Is “Pan” a common word?

“Pan” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “Pan” have?

“Pan” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a wide, shallow metal container used for cooking food over heat.

What is the difference between a pan and a pot?

A pan is a wide, shallow metal container used for cooking food over heat, suited to frying and searing. A pot is deeper with higher sides, suited to boiling, stewing, and simmering liquids. The shapes drive the usage: you fry an egg in a pan but boil pasta in a pot.

Is pan formal or informal when it means to criticize?

It is informal to journalistic in register. "The critics panned it" is at home in reviews, headlines, and conversation, but a formal academic paper would more likely say the work was "harshly criticized" or "poorly received."

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