stan
Stan (noun) means an extremely obsessive fan of a celebrity, group, or franchise, especially one whose devotion crosses into unhealthy territory. Example: “Online stans flooded her replies the moment she posted the announcement.”
How to use stan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA super-devoted fan, or (as a verb) to be one.
Very informal internet slang, mostly used on social media and in fandom communities.
Word forms
stanned past tense, stans plural, stans plural, Stans plural, stans singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Online _____ flooded her replies the moment she posted the announcement.
Etymology
From the title of Eminem's 2000 song "Stan," about an obsessive fan named Stan; some also read it as a blend of "stalker" and "fan."
Related words
Rhymes for stan
See all rhymes for stan →Frequently asked questions
What does “stan” mean?
The word “stan” means an extremely obsessive fan of a celebrity, group, or franchise, especially one whose devotion crosses into unhealthy territory. In plain terms, a super-devoted fan, or (as a verb) to be one.
How do you pronounce “stan”?
“Stan” is pronounced stan (/stæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “stan” in a sentence?
Here is “stan” used in a sentence: “Online stans flooded her replies the moment she posted the announcement.”
What part of speech is “stan”?
Depending on how it is used, “stan” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “stan” come from?
The word “stan” dates back to around 2000. From the title of Eminem's 2000 song "Stan," about an obsessive fan named Stan; some also read it as a blend of "stalker" and "fan.".
Is “stan” a common word?
“Stan” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “stan” have?
“Stan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an extremely obsessive fan of a celebrity, group, or franchise, especially one whose devotion crosses into unhealthy territory.
Where does the word stan come from?
Stan is widely credited to the 2000 Eminem song "Stan," which tells the story of a fan whose obsession with the rapper turns destructive. The character's name came to stand for any extremely devoted fan, and the word later entered major dictionaries as both a noun and a verb.
Is calling someone a stan an insult or a compliment?
It depends on context. The original sense is negative, describing a fan whose devotion crosses into unhealthy obsession, but in modern internet slang people cheerfully call themselves stans and say "we stan" to show enthusiastic approval. Tone and intent decide whether it reads as playful or mocking.
What is the difference between a stan and a fan?
A fan admires a celebrity, group, or franchise; a stan takes that devotion to an extreme, following everything the object of their fandom does and often defending them fiercely online. All stans are fans, but only the most obsessive fans are stans.
How is stan used as a verb?
As a verb, stan means to be an obsessive or extremely enthusiastic fan of someone or something. It is usually transitive, as in "I stan that band," and it also appears alone in the set phrase "we stan." The verb is informal internet slang and out of place in formal writing.