wan
UK: wɒn | US: wɑːn
adj. (of a person’s complexion or appearance) pale and giving the impression of illness or exhaustion
adj. (of light) faint or weak; lacking brightness
v. (archaic) become pale or sickly
The word "wan" traces back to Old English wann, meaning "dark, dusky, or lacking color," which later evolved to describe a sickly pallor or faint light. Its Germanic roots (e.g., Old Norse vannr "wan, pale") suggest an early association with diminished vitality or brightness. Over time, "wan" narrowed to describe physical pallor or dimness, retaining its core idea of deficiency—whether in color or strength.
Her face grew wan after weeks of illness.
The wan moonlight barely illuminated the path.
He looked wan and exhausted from the long journey.
The flowers wilted under the wan winter sun.
(Archaic) Her cheeks began to wan as the fever took hold.