noun
fan
fan
noun
1
A device, hand-held or powered, that moves air to cool someone or something down.
"She waved a paper fan to cool herself in the heat."
"Turn on the ceiling fan, it's stifling in here."
2
A person who admires and follows a performer, team, or interest closely.
"He's a huge fan of classic horror films."
verb
1
To move air onto something using a fan or a waving motion, or to spread out in a fan shape.
"She fanned herself with a magazine."
"The cards fanned out across the table."
How to Use Fan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither something that blows air to cool you down, or someone who's enthusiastic about a person, team, or hobby.
Common pairings
electric fan
die-hard fan
fan the flames
Word Forms
fanned past tense, fans plural, fen plural, fans plural, fan plural, fans singular
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Etymology
From Old English fann, "a winnowing fan," from Latin vannus, a tool used to toss grain into the air to separate it from chaff.