Definitions

wan

[won] / wɒn /

ADJECTIVE

colorless, weak

Synonyms

STRONG

blanched bleached dim discolored faint haggard pale pasty peaked white worn

WEAK

anemic ashen ashy bilious bloodless cadaverous feeble forceless ghastly ineffective ineffectual livid pallid sickly washed-out waxen

Antonyms

STRONG

blushing bright clear colorful distinct flushed fresh healthy strong

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The sun came up, a wan wintry sun that did not warm.

From Literature

My father came out of the shed huddled up in his parka and turned away from the sea, blinking in the wan light, smiling a wan smile.

From Literature

For each of those successes, there are several messy misfires: The wan camp of “The Politician.”

From Salon

Molly burst through the door, half carrying a wan and gaunt Anat, who was struggling to stay upright.

From Literature

Our mother did reappear, looking wan and smiling bravely, and we had to pretend that she was fine.

From The Wall Street Journal