What does "wan" mean?

1. (pale and sickly) looking pale and weak, usually because you are ill or very tired. 2. (weak or faint) weak or lacking energy, like a faint light or a sad smile.

wan

adj.

US //ˈwɑn// UK //wˈæn// wan

1 pale and sickly (adj.)
C1 Advanced Literary

looking pale and weak, usually because you are ill or very tired.

suggestive of poor health, fatigue, or unhappiness through a pale or sickly complexion.

Example

He looked wan and tired after spending three days in the hospital.

Example

The patient's wan countenance concerned the physician, suggesting that the recovery was not progressing as swiftly as the initial reports indicated.
- pale
- pallid
- pasty
2 weak or faint (adj.)
C2 Proficiency Literary

weak or lacking energy, like a faint light or a sad smile.

lacking brightness, intensity, or vigour; often used to describe light or emotional expressions.

Example

She gave a wan smile that showed she wasn't really happy.

Example

A wan light filtered through the heavy clouds, barely illuminating the desolate landscape that stretched toward the horizon.
- bright
- vibrant