fan
fan Lexical Profile
fan Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A machine or device with rotating blades used to create a current of air for cooling or ventilation.
"We turned on the ceiling fan to help circulate the cool air throughout the sweltering room."
A person who has a strong interest in or admiration for a particular sport, art form, entertainment, or famous person.
"The stadium was packed with thousands of enthusiastic fans cheering for the home team."
A handheld device, typically folding and semicircular, used to cool oneself by waving it back and forth to create an airflow.
"She gracefully unfurled her painted silk fan to shield herself from the intense summer heat."
• verb
To cool or refresh (a person or oneself) by waving an object to create an airflow.
"He fanned himself with a magazine while waiting for the train on the hot platform."
To increase the strength of a fire by blowing on it or stirring up the air, or to intensify a feeling or emotion.
"The harsh winds only fanned the flames of the forest fire, making it harder to control."
To spread out in the shape of a semicircular fan.
"The search party fanned out across the fields to cover more ground and look for clues."
• Rhymes for fan
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The mechanical and handheld device derives from Old English 'fann', which evolved from Latin 'vannus' (a winnowing basket). The noun meaning 'enthusiast' originated in the late 19th century as a shortening of 'fanatic', originally in American baseball slang.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.