Fans
/fænz/
Definitions
3 meaningsA person who admires and is enthusiastic about someone or something.
/fænz/
People who admire and support a particular person, sport, team, etc.
The band's fans were ecstatic after the concert.
💡 Simply: Imagine you really, really love a band or a team. Those people are your *fans*! They love what you're doing!
👶 For kids: People who really, really like something, like a singer or a sports team.
More Examples
She has a huge fan base across the globe.
The team's fans were disappointed after their loss.
How It's Used
"The stadium was filled with enthusiastic fans cheering for their team."
"The singer's fans lined up for hours to get tickets to the concert."
More than one device used for creating a current of air by the movement of a broad surface or a number of blades.
/fænz/
Plural of "fan" (a device)
The electronics store had a variety of fans on display.
💡 Simply: Those spinning things that keep you cool? If you have more than one, they are *fans*!
👶 For kids: More than one thing that blows air to make you cool.
More Examples
The warehouse uses large industrial fans to ventilate the space.
The computers were equipped with fans to prevent overheating.
How It's Used
"The air conditioning units also include fans, which circulate air."
"Computers often have internal fans to prevent overheating."
To stir or excite (someone); to spread out (something) like a fan
/fænz/
To excite or interest (someone); to stir up
The gossip column fanned the flames of a celebrity feud.
💡 Simply: To *fan* something is to make it bigger or more intense, just like fanning a flame to make it grow!
👶 For kids: To make something stronger, like making a fire grow bigger by blowing on it.
More Examples
She fanned herself with a newspaper to cool down.
The artist fanned out the playing cards across the table.
How It's Used
"The politician fanned the flames of discord with his divisive speeches."
"Fan the embers to create a warmer heat."
Idioms & expressions
fan the flames
To make a situation worse, typically by making existing anger, hatred, or conflict more intense.
"His inflammatory comments only served to fan the flames of the debate."
From "fan" (a device for creating a current of air) influenced by the term "fanatic", dating back to the late 19th century, originally referring to baseball enthusiasts.
The term "fan" for an admirer dates back to the late 19th century, originally referring to baseball enthusiasts.
Memory tip
Think of people who are so excited they act like a "fanatic" for someone or something.