fan
1any device for producing a current of air by the movement of a broad surface or a number of such surfaces.
an implement of feathers, leaves, paper, cloth, etc., often in the shape of a long triangle or of a semicircle, for waving lightly in the hand to create a cooling current of air about a person: We sat on the veranda, cooling ourselves with palm-leaf fans.
anything resembling such an implement, as the tail of a bird.
any of various devices consisting essentially of a series of radiating vanes or blades attached to and revolving with a central hublike portion to produce a current of air: ceiling fan; wall fan.
a series of revolving blades supplying air for winnowing or cleaning grain.
Horology. fly2 (def. 28).
a semicircular decoration of bunting.
Physical Geography. an alluvial fan.
to move or agitate (the air) with or as if with a fan.
to cause air to blow upon, as from a fan; cool or refresh with or as if with a fan: He fanned his face with a newspaper.
to stir to activity with or as if with a fan: to fan a flame; to fan emotions.
(of a breeze, current of air, etc.) to blow upon, as if driven by a fan: A cool breeze fanned the shore.
to spread out like a fan: The dealer fanned the cards.
Informal. to move (oneself) quickly: You'll fan your tail out of here if you know what's good for you.
Agriculture. to winnow, especially by an artificial current of air.
Baseball. (of a pitcher) to strike out (a batter).
Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. to punish by spanking; spank: Your mother will fan you good if you break that dish.
to strike, swing, or brush lightly at something.
Western U.S. (chiefly cowboy use). to slap the flanks of (a horse or other animal) repeatedly with a hat to get it to move or move faster.
to spread out like a fan (often followed by out): The forest fire fanned out in all directions.
Baseball. (of a batter) to strike out, usually by swinging at and missing the pitch charged as the third strike.
Idioms about fan
hit the fan, Slang. to become suddenly more awkward, embarrassing, or troublesome: When news of the incident was leaked to the press, everything hit the fan at once.: See also shit (def. 26).
Origin of fan
1Other words from fan
- fanlike, adjective
- fanner, noun
- un·fanned, adjective
Other definitions for fan (2 of 3)
an enthusiastic devotee, follower, or admirer of a sport, pastime, celebrity, etc.: a baseball fan; a great fan of Charlie Chaplin.
Origin of fan
2Other words for fan
Other definitions for Fan (3 of 3)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use fan in a sentence
Now of course Fanner Brown's boy knew that his father didn't mean that figures could speak right out.
The Adventures of Bob White | Thornton W. BurgessFanner Brown's boy took him outside the henyard and gently put him down on the ground.
The Adventures of Bob White | Thornton W. BurgessShe knew that Bob was right, and that Fanner Brown's boy had proved himself a true friend from whom there was nothing to fear.
The Adventures of Bob White | Thornton W. BurgessHe had not done anything to show that he was a fanner of rebellion.
Pabo, The Priest | Sabine Baring-GouldHis eyes were shut, and he didn't; hear what Fanner Brown's boy said.
The Adventures of Old Man Coyote | Thornton W. Burgess
British Dictionary definitions for fan (1 of 2)
/ (fæn) /
any device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or number of surfaces, esp a rotating device consisting of a number of blades attached to a central hub
a machine that rotates such a device
any of various hand-agitated devices for cooling onself, esp a collapsible semicircular series of flat segments of paper, ivory, etc
something shaped like such a fan, such as the tail of certain birds
agriculture
a kind of basket formerly used for winnowing grain
a machine equipped with a fan for winnowing or cleaning grain
to cause a current of air, esp cool air, to blow upon, as by means of a fan: to fan one's face
to agitate or move (air, smoke, etc) with or as if with a fan
to make fiercer, more ardent, etc: fan one's passion
(also intr often foll by out) to spread out or cause to spread out in the shape of a fan
to fire (an automatic gun) continuously by keeping the trigger depressed
to fire (a nonautomatic gun) several times by repeatedly chopping back the hammer with the palm
to winnow (grain) by blowing the chaff away from it
Origin of fan
1Derived forms of fan
- fanlike, adjective
- fanner, noun
British Dictionary definitions for fan (2 of 2)
/ (fæn) /
an ardent admirer of a pop star, film actor, football team, etc
a devotee of a sport, hobby, etc
Origin of fan
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with fan
In addition to the idiom beginning with fan
- fan the flames
also see:
- shit will hit the fan
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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