adjective

wan

WAHN/wɑn/

Pale or faint, often suggesting weakness or tiredness.

The tired adult has a wan face above the blanket.

A pale tired South Asian adult sits wrapped in a blanket with drained expression.

Etymology

wanOld Englishdark, dusky, lacking luster

Wann described darkness or lack of luster, rather than simply paleness. The connecting idea is a lack of vivid color, which came to describe the pale, unhealthy appearance associated with illness or distress.

In context

Storytime Haven210:50

As he greeted her he noticed that she looked pale and wan. It was evident she had spent a sleepless night.

A Prince of Swindlers 👑💰 | A Tale of Deceit and Adventure by Guy Boothby

More examples

She gave a wan smile.
The light grew wanner.
His expression was the wannest of the group.

Forms

wan · wanner · wannest

wanly adverb — in a pale or weak-looking way

Similar words

pale: Light in color without necessarily weakness.
weary: Tired without necessarily a pale appearance.