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Definitions

wan

[won] / wɒn /


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.

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

From Salon Feb. 12, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal Nov. 2, 2025

“We watched them install it one night. It’s not like they talk to us or ask us for permission,” he said, a wan smile on his face.

From Los Angeles Times Oct. 24, 2025

But this show is too slight, too wan, to bear the weight of analytical dissection.

From New York Times Feb. 15, 2024

His arms ached, but he continued stroking, even as his mind wan dered.

From "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen

But if the orchestrations, by Mr. Kitt and Michael Starobin, are atypically wan, Mr. Kitt’s lyrics are even wanner.

From New York Times Mar. 1, 2019

When she was out in the drizzle, however, Her Majesty's smile grew wanner and wanner, and sometimes disappeared.

From Time Magazine Archive

Carl's entrances into the Coliseum may have been slightly louder, but Edwin's were appreciably wanner.

From Time Magazine Archive

Says one Bostonian who knows her well: "There isn't anyone wanner or dearer, when she's feeling good."

From Time Magazine Archive

A makeshift signal flag—a red knitted leg wanner of the sort worn by dancers— was knotted to the end of an alder branch by the vehicle's rear exit.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

I cannot conclude this relation without expressing my wannest thanks to Lord Stirling, for the full patronage I received from him in every stage of the enterprize.

From The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by Jules-Ferdinand Jacquemart

Their conduct merits our wannest esteem; and I beg leave to add, that I think the public will do well to make them a handsome gratuity.

From The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by Jules-Ferdinand Jacquemart

My brother," cried Henry, with the wannest pleasure, "you have played me the most agreeable trick in the world, and have showed me the full confidence I may place in you.

From Historical Tales, Vol. 4 (of 15) The Romance of Reality by Charles Morris

Owen's heart beat with honest pride as he stepped down from the platform and walked side by side with his giant opponent,—still his wannest friend.

From The Cave by the Beech Fork A Story of Kentucky?1815 by Henry S. Spalding

In many a laboured scene of the wannest humour and of the most affecting passion I have seen the best actors disconcerted, while these buzzing muscatos have been fluttering round their eyes and ears.

From The Palmy Days of Nance Oldfield by Edward Robins

Mademoiselle was poking at a rusty stove that smoked a little and wanned the room indifferently.

From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin

Not precisely royal fare, but nourishing; it tasted good enough and wanned the belly.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Around noon, when the air had wanned, Frightful gave the little eyas the last bites of the rat.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

And by and by The wide-winged sunset wanned and waned; The lean night-wind crept westward, chilling and sighing; The poor old hulk remained, Stuck helpless in mid-ebb.

From Highways and Byways in Sussex by Frederick Landseer Maur Griggs

Once the imagination is stirred and the emotions wanned by this instruction, an immediate and natural outlet in expression must be found if these lessons are to fulfill their end.

From How to Teach Religion Principles and Methods by George Herbert Betts

It was a French sportwriter just wanning up to the famed Tour de France, the month-long bicycle race that attracts the world's largest crowds.

From Time Magazine Archive

It had a slim chance of wanning its fight.

From Time Magazine Archive

Stark Young takes a view of art which is wanning to those tired of abstruse and cerebral esthetics.

From Time Magazine Archive

She sat holding it in her hand, while the music penetrated her whole being like an effulgence, wanning and brightening the dark places of her soul.

From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin

The Proclaimers are just wanning up on that misery-to-happiness song—the follow-up to “Five Hundred Miles.”

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak




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