wan
word
/ˈwɑn/
/wˈæn/
Definition
Looking pale or sick, often because of tiredness, illness, or shock. Also means looking weak or lacking color and energy.
Usage & Nuances
'Wan' is formal and literary, not used in everyday speech. It describes people's faces, sometimes the sun or moon, to mean pale or weak. Often used for poetic or dramatic effect. Do not confuse with 'waning' (decreasing) or 'one' (number).
Spanish: pálido - desvaídoPortuguese (BR): pálido - desbotadoPortuguese (PT): pálido - desmaiadoChinese (Simplified): 苍白的 - 无血色的Chinese (Traditional): 蒼白的 - 無血色的Hindi: फीका - पीलाArabic: شاحب - باهتBengali: ফ্যাকাশে - বিবর্ণRussian: бледный - изнеможённыйJapanese: 青白い - 弱々しいVietnamese: tái nhợt - xanh xaoKorean: 창백한 - 힘없는Turkish: solgun - benzi atmışUrdu: زرد رُو - کمزور (رنگت)Indonesian: pucat - lesu
Example Sentences
Her face looked wan after the long illness.
basic
He gave me a wan smile.
basic
The child was wan and tired after staying up all night.
basic
She managed a wan laugh, trying to hide her sadness.
natural
His face was wan, as though the news had drained all the color from him.
natural
Under the cold wan light of early morning, the city felt empty.
natural