fan

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈfan 

1

: any of various devices for winnowing grain

2

: an instrument for producing a current of air: such as

a

: a device that is held in the hand and moved back and forth to cool a person and that is usually shaped like a segment of a circle and composed of material (such as feathers or paper) mounted on thin rods or slats moving about a pivot so that the device may be closed compactly when not in use

b

: a device that consists of a series of vanes radiating from a hub rotated on its axle by a motor

a ceiling fan to stir the air

c

slang : an airplane propeller

3

a

: something resembling an open fan (such as the leaf of certain palms)

b

: a gently sloping fan-shaped body of detritus

especially : alluvial fan

fanlike

ˈfan-ˌlīk 

adjective

fan

2 of 3

verb

fanned; fanning

transitive verb

1

a

: to drive away the chaff of (grain) by means of a current of air

b

: to eliminate (chaff) by winnowing

2

: to move or impel (air) with a fan

3

: to blow or breathe upon

the breeze fanning her hair

4

a

: to direct a current of air upon with a fan

b

: to stir up to activity as if by fanning : stimulate

fanning the fires of nationalism

5

archaic : wave

6

slang : spank

7

: to spread like a fan

the peacock fanned his tail

8

: to strike (a batter) out in baseball

9

: to fire a series of shots from (a single-action revolver) by holding the trigger back and successively striking the hammer to the rear with the free hand

intransitive verb

1

: to move like a fan : flutter

2

: to spread like a fan

—often used with out

the searchers fanned out

3

: strike out sense 3

fanner

ˈfa-nər 

noun

fan

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: an enthusiastic devotee (as of a sport or a performing art) usually as a spectator

2

: an ardent admirer or enthusiast (as of a celebrity or a pursuit)

science-fiction fans

Did you know?

The Fanatical Origin of Fan

There are a good number of etymological myths in the English language, stories about the origins of words (such as the widespread notion that posh originated as an acronym for “port out, starboard home”) which are, to put it kindly, inaccurate. But this does not mean that every vivid account of linguistic origin is fictitious. Many words, such as fan, do have colorful backstories.

Fan is generally–and very likely correctly–believed to be a shortened form of fanatic. The origin of fanatic (which can be traced back to the Latin word fanum, meaning “sanctuary, temple”) is less often commented on. In English, fan made an early appearance in the late 17th century only to disappear for two centuries, resurfacing in the late 19th century. In this later period of use, it often referred to the devoted observers of, or participants in, a sport. An 1885 article from The Kansas City Times, for example, contains the line “The base ball ‘fans’ of the ploice [sic] force and fire department engage in a ball game.”

Synonyms

Verb

• stretch (out)
• extend
• expand
• spread (out)
• flare (out)
• open
• unfold

Noun (2)

• lover
• sucker
• enthusiast
• fanatic

Examples of fan in a Sentence

Verb

He fanned himself with a newspaper while he waited for the bus.

The pitcher has fanned six batters in the first three innings.

The batter fanned on a curveball.

Noun (2)

lifelong fans of country and western music

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In addition to its roomy style, fans also enthusiastically cite the bag’s leather material for its durability. —Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025

Emergency personnel treated the fan, a man who was not identified, before taking him to Mercy Hospital, located a few blocks from the arena. —CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025

Verb

There’s that kind of intensity and fuel that has fanned the fire of Mirador in someways that’s really elevated the band and the performances. —Gary Graff, Billboard, 25 Oct. 2025

Campbell, working all in relief, fanned 33, but his 13 walks allowed must have been a red flag, because the Mariners traded Campbell to the Boston Red Sox after the season. —Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English, from Old English fann, from Latin vannus — more at winnow

Noun (2)

probably short for fanatic

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fan

• alluvial fan
• fan art
• fan base
• fan belt
• fan club
• fan fiction
• fan-jet
• fan letter
• fan mail
• fan out
• fan service
• fan-tan
• fan vault
• hit the fan
• sea fan

Rhymes for fan

• an
• ban
• bran
• can
• cann
• clan
• duan
• flan
• gran
• jann
• klan
• lan

Kids Definition

fan

1 of 3 noun

ˈfan 

1

: an instrument for producing a current of air: as

a

: a device that is often in the shape of a section of a circle and is waved back and forth by hand

b

: a device with a set of rotating blades driven by a motor

2

: something shaped like a hand fan

fanlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

fan

2 of 3 verb

fanned; fanning

1

: to move air with a fan

2

a

: to direct a current of air upon with a fan

b

: to stir up to activity as if by fanning

3

: to spread out or move like a fan

4

: to strike out in baseball

fanner noun

fan

3 of 3 noun

: an enthusiastic follower or admirer

Etymology

Noun

Old English fann "fan," from Latin vannus "fan"

Noun

probably a shortened form of fanatic