wan Definition
- 1pale and giving the impression of illness or exhaustion
- 2lacking enthusiasm or energy; feeble
Using wan: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "wan" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She looked wan and tired after the long journey.
Example
His wan smile showed how little he cared.
Example
The party was a wan affair with few guests and little excitement.
wan Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with wan
Example
Despite the odds, she clung to a wan hope that her business would succeed.
Example
He gave her a wan smile that failed to hide his disappointment.
a pale and sickly-looking complexion
Example
Her wan complexion suggested that she was suffering from anemia.
Origins of wan
from Old English 'wan', meaning 'dark, lacking luster'
Summary: wan in Brief
The term 'wan' [wɒn] describes a pale, sickly appearance or a lack of enthusiasm or energy. It can be used to describe people, as in 'She looked wan and tired,' or events, as in 'The party was a wan affair.' 'Wan' can also be used in phrases like 'wan hope' or 'wan complexion,' which denote weak or unlikely situations.