noun

Pan

pan

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

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

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

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