Meaning & use
wan
Pale and looking tired, weak, or unwell, especially in the face.
See it in a sentence
After the long illness, her wan face slowly regained its usual color.
He gave a wan smile before sinking back into the pillow.
A note on using this word
Wan usually describes a person's complexion, a smile, or a faint light, and often implies exhaustion or sadness rather than simple paleness.
Words with a similar meaning
palepallidsickly
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
ruddyflushed
Make it your own
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