noun
paan
pahn
Paan (noun) means a chewable preparation of betel leaf, areca nut, and sometimes tobacco, popular across South Asia. Example: “After the meal, he was offered paan to freshen his breath.”
noun
1
A chewable preparation of betel leaf, areca nut, and sometimes tobacco, popular across South Asia.
"Perched outside Madhavbagh Temple, decorated with antique mirrors, this 100-year-old shop serves up juicy paans, plump with mawa."
— Rashmi Uday Singh, Mumbai by Night (2005)
"After the meal, he was offered paan to freshen his breath."
"Preparing a paan is simple. The leaf is first cleaned with water and dried. It is then covered with a thin layer of lime paste. In north India, paan sellers then spread red-coloured syrup (extracted from a native plant) over the lime paste."
— M. R. Narayan Swamy, New Delhi (2006)
How to use paan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA traditional South Asian chewable snack wrapped in a betel leaf, often eaten after meals.
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Word forms
- Plural
- paans
Fill the gap
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After the meal, he was offered _____ to freshen his breath.
Etymology
Borrowed from Hindi "paan."
Rhymes for paan
See all rhymes for paan →Frequently asked questions
What does “paan” mean?
The word “paan” means a chewable preparation of betel leaf, areca nut, and sometimes tobacco, popular across South Asia. In plain terms, a traditional South Asian chewable snack wrapped in a betel leaf, often eaten after meals.
How do you pronounce “paan”?
“Paan” is pronounced pahn (/pɑːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “paan” in a sentence?
Here is “paan” used in a sentence: “After the meal, he was offered paan to freshen his breath.”
What part of speech is “paan”?
“Paan” is a noun.
Where does the word “paan” come from?
The word “paan” comes from Hindi. Borrowed from Hindi "paan.".
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