# wan

/ˈwɑn/ (US) · /wˈæn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wan
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. pale and sickly

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

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

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

- He looked wan and tired after spending three days in the hospital.
- The patient's wan countenance concerned the physician, suggesting that the recovery was not progressing as swiftly as the initial reports indicated.

### 2. weak or faint

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary

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

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

- She gave a wan smile that showed she wasn't really happy.
- A wan light filtered through the heavy clouds, barely illuminating the desolate landscape that stretched toward the horizon.

## Examples

- She gave a wan smile before closing her eyes to rest.
- After spending all night studying in the library, he emerged into the wan light of dawn looking exhausted.
- The patient's wan appearance concerned the doctors, as his skin had taken on a greyish hue that suggested a lack of proper circulation.

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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.