# fan

/ˈfæn/ (US) · /fˈæn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fan
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. an admirer or enthusiast

noun · CEFR A2

a person who really likes a particular sport, famous person, or hobby.

For teachers: an enthusiastic admirer or aficionado of a specific person, team, or activity.

- She has been a huge fan of that rock band since she was a teenager.
- The dedicated fan travelled across three countries just to attend the final match of the tournament.

### 2. cooling device

noun · CEFR A2

a machine or hand-held object that moves air to make you feel cool.

For teachers: an electrical or mechanical device, or a hand-held implement, used to circulate air for cooling purposes.

- It was so hot in the office that we had to turn on the electric fan.
- The ceiling fan hummed quietly in the background, providing a necessary breeze during the humid summer afternoon.

### 3. to spread out

verb · CEFR B2

to move or spread out from one point into a wide shape.

For teachers: to spread out from a central point so as to resemble the shape of an open hand-held fan.

- The soldiers began to fan out across the field to search for the missing keys.
- The delta allows the river to fan out into several smaller channels before reaching the sea.

Usage: often used with the particle 'out'

### 4. to blow air on

verb · CEFR B1

to move air toward something using a fan or your hand.

For teachers: to direct a current of air toward something, often to cool it or to encourage a fire to burn.

- He used a piece of cardboard to fan the campfire until the flames grew.
- The chef continued to fan the hot coals, carefully maintaining the temperature required for the traditional roasting process.

### 6. a fan-like shape

noun · CEFR B2

something that has the shape of an open triangle or a bird's tail.

For teachers: an object or part of an object that spreads out in a sector-like geometric shape.

- The peacock opened its tail into a beautiful green and blue fan.
- The geologist pointed out the alluvial fan where the mountain stream had deposited sediment onto the flat plain.

## Examples

- She is a huge fan of that rock band.
- The stadium was packed with thousands of fans wearing the team's colors and singing songs.
- While the ceiling fan circulated the humid air, the dedicated fan sat by the radio, waiting for the final score of the championship game.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.