	Site Map \| FAQ in Daily Almanac for Feb 10, 2010
Skip Navigation Home Black History Month Atlas Encyclopedia Dictionary Thesaurus Features Quizzes Timelines Countries Slideshows

Fact Monster Kid's reference,
games, quizzes

Editor's Favorites

Dictionary

wan

Pronunciation: (won), [key]
—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.
a. dark or gloomy.
b. pale in color or hue.

—v.i., v.t.
to become or make wan.