wan

UK: /ˈwɒn/ US: /wɑn/ ,(won)

Inflections of 'wan' (adj):

wanner

adj comparative

wannest

adj superlative

Inflections of 'wan' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

wans

v 3rd person singular

wanning

v pres p

wanned

v past

wanned

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

wan¹ /wɑn/   adj., wan•ner, wan•nest. 

1. unnaturally pale, esp. on account of ill health or fatigue.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

wan¹  (won), adj., wan•ner, wan•nest, v., wanned, wan•ning. 
adj. 

1. of an unnatural or sickly pallor;
   pallid;
   lacking color:
   His wan face suddenly flushed.
2. showing or suggesting ill health, fatigue, unhappiness, etc.:
   a wan look; a wan smile.
3. lacking in forcefulness, competence, or effectiveness:
   their wan attempts to organize the alumni.
4. [Archaic.]
   • dark or gloomy.
   • pale in color or hue.

v.i., v.t. 

5. to become or make wan.

• bef. 900; Middle English; Old English wann dark, gloomy

wan′ly, adv. 
wan′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. ashen. See pale ¹.
• 3. feeble, weak, half-hearted, lame.

Antonyms

• 1. ruddy.

wan²  (wän), v. [Obs.]

1. a pt. of win. 

WAN  (wan), n. 

1. Computing See wide-area network. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

wan / wɒn/ adjective (wanner, wannest)

1. unnaturally pale, esp from sickness, grief, etc
2. characteristic or suggestive of ill health, unhappiness, etc
3. (of light, stars, etc) faint or dim

Etymology: Old English wann dark; related to wanian to wane

ˈwanly adverb

ˈwanness noun