fan

/fæn/
verb
  1. To move air toward someone or something, usually with a fan or by waving something.
    • She fanned her face with a magazine to cool off.
    • He fanned the campfire to make the flames grow brighter.
    • The mother fanned her sleeping baby with a small cloth.
  2. To spread out like a fan, or to cause something to spread out.
    • The police fanned out across the park to search for the lost child.
    • She fanned the playing cards in her hand so everyone could see them.
    • The peacock fanned its colorful tail feathers.
  3. To increase interest or emotion; to stir up.
    • His speech fanned the crowd's excitement for the upcoming election.
    • The coach's words fanned the team's determination to win.
    • The rumor fanned fears about the company's future.
noun
  1. A device with rotating blades that moves air to cool a room or person.
    • The desk fan hummed quietly as he worked on his computer.
    • During the heatwave, everyone bought a portable fan.
    • She turned on the ceiling fan to cool down the living room.
  2. An enthusiastic admirer or supporter of a person, team, sport, or activity.
    • He is a huge fan of the local basketball team and never misses a game.
    • My sister is a big fan of that singer and has all her albums.
    • Science fiction fans gathered at the convention to meet their favorite authors.
  3. A handheld folding device used to create a cooling breeze.
    • At the outdoor ceremony, ladies used paper fans to stay cool.
    • The antique fan was decorated with hand-painted flowers.
    • She opened her silk fan and waved it gently in front of her face.