Fan
/fæn/
Last Updated: January 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Scrabble:6 ptsWWF:7 pts3 letters
Definition of Fan
noun
- A hand-held device consisting of concertinaed material, or slats of material, gathered together at one end, that may be opened out into the shape of a sector of a circle and waved back and forth in order to move air towards oneself and cool oneself.
- An electrical or mechanical device for moving air, used for cooling people, machinery, etc.
- The action of fanning; agitation of the air.
- Anything resembling a hand-held fan in shape, e.g., a peacock’s tail.
- An instrument for winnowing grain, by moving which the grain is tossed and agitated, and the chaff is separated and blown away.
verb
- To blow air on (something) by means of a fan (hand-held, mechanical or electrical) or otherwise.
"We enjoyed standing at the edge of the cliff, being fanned by the wind."
- To slap (a behind, especially).
- (usually to fan out) To move or spread in multiple directions from one point, in the shape of a hand-held fan.
- To dispel by waving a hand-held fan.
"I attempted to fan the disagreeable odour out of the room."
- To perform a maneuver that involves flicking the top rear of an old-style gun.