What is pan? Pronunciation and usage in English

pan means . Learn how to pronounce and use pan through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of pan

pannoun

/pan/
Definition & pronunciation of pan

The word "pan" in English is pronounced like "pahn".

It rhymes with "can" and "man".

Here's a breakdown:

  • p: Pronounced as in "pen"
  • ah: A short, open "ah" sound, like in the word "father" (but shorter)

You can hear it pronounced correctly on sites like:

Would you like me to give you some examples of how "pan" is used in sentences?

Usage and examples with the word pan in English

Let's break down how to use the word "pan" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. The Cooking Pan (Most Common)

  • Definition: A shallow metal dish with a handle, used for cooking food on a stove.
  • Examples:
    • "I’m going to cook pancakes on the pan."
    • "She heated up the sauce in a small pan."
    • "Don't burn the food on the pan!"
    • "He used a cast-iron pan to make a delicious steak."

2. The Musical Instrument (Percussion)

  • Definition: A percussion instrument resembling a shallow bowl with a small stick used to strike it, producing a sharp, ringing sound.
  • Examples:
    • "The marching band played a lively rhythm on the pans."
    • "The sound of the pans added to the festive atmosphere."
    • “The xylophone is similar to a pan.”

3. To Criticize Harshly (Verb – Negative)

  • Definition: To express strong disapproval or criticism of something; to denounce.
  • Examples:
    • "The critics panned the new movie." (Meaning they gave it bad reviews)
    • "The restaurant received a lot of negative reviews and was panned by the food bloggers."
    • "The politician was panned for his lack of experience."
    • "Don’t pan me; I'm trying my best!" (Meaning don't criticize me harshly)

4. A Large Area of Open Water (Noun – Geographical)

  • Definition: A large, open body of water, especially in a mountainous area. (Often in mountainous regions of the US)
  • Examples:
    • “We drove along the pan overlooking the valley.”
    • “The hikers started their journey on the pan.”
    • "It was a beautiful view from the edge of the pan." (This is more common in Western US states like Colorado and Utah.)

5. A Broad Area or Region (Noun – General)

  • Definition: A wide area, often implying flatness. Less common usage than the other definitions, but still correct.
  • Examples:
    • “The farmers worked the pan of land.” (Meaning a wide area of farmland.)
    • “The wind swept across the pan of desert.”

Here's a quick summary table:

Meaning Part of Speech Example
Cooking Pan Noun “He fried eggs in a pan.”
Musical Instrument Noun “The band played the pans.”
Harsh Criticism Verb “They panned the play.”
Geographical Area Noun “We hiked across the pan.”
Wide Region Noun “The crops covered the pan.”

Resources for More Information:

To help me tailor my response even further, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "pan"? (e.g., Are you talking about cooking, music, or something else?)

Synonyms for the word pan

Practice with vocabulary pan

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The chef used a non-stick ________ to fry the eggs quickly.
  2. We hope the new marketing strategy will ________ as expected and generate significant profits.
  3. For the hearty stew, you'll need a large ________ with a heavy bottom to ensure even cooking.
  4. Despite the initial setbacks and unforeseen challenges, the team managed to ________ in their complex project.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. Which of these kitchen items is typically used for frying or searing food over high heat? A) Ladle B) Skillet C) Pan D) Sieve E) Colander

  2. Which of the following words describe giving a harshly negative review or criticism? A) Commend B) Pan C) Laud D) Criticize E) Applaud

  3. To capture the entire panorama of the mountain range in a single shot, the cinematographer had to ________ the camera slowly across the landscape. A) Zoom B) Tilt C) Pan D) Focus E) Dolly

  4. If you want to prepare a rich, slow-cooked broth, you should use a deep ________. A) Plate B) Pot C) Kettle D) Cup E) Saucepan

  5. After several months of dedicated effort and analysis, the innovative project began to ________ positive results. A) Obstruct B) Yield C) Deter D) Generate E) Achieve

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The review of the new software update was overwhelmingly negative, highlighting many flaws and shortcomings. Rewrite using "pan" or a related word form:
  2. Original: We are hoping that the results of the research project will be successful and meet our high expectations. Rewrite using "pan" or a related word form:
  3. Original: To prepare a delicious and authentic stir-fry, it's essential to have a large, deep cooking vessel with sloped sides. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do not use "pan"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. pan
  2. pan out
  3. pot
  4. succeed

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) Skillet, C) Pan
  2. B) Pan, D) Criticize
  3. C) Pan
  4. B) Pot, E) Saucepan
  5. B) Yield, D) Generate, E) Achieve

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The new software update was panned by reviewers, highlighting many flaws and shortcomings.
  2. We are hoping that the research project will pan out as expected and meet our high expectations.
  3. To prepare a delicious and authentic stir-fry, it's essential to have a large, deep wok with sloped sides.

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