dan

[ dahn, dan ]

/ dɑn, dæn /

Save This Word!

noun Martial Arts.

a degree of expertise in karate, judo, tae kwon do, etc., usually signified by the wearing of a cloth belt of a particular color; level: a sixth-degree dan.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of dan

First recorded in 1940–45; from Japanese, from Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese duàn “step, grade”

Words nearby dan

damselfly, damsel in distress, damson, damson cheese, damyankee, dan, Dana, Danaë, Danai, Danaides, danaite

Other definitions for dan (2 of 4)

Dan¹

[ dan ]

/ dæn /

noun

a son of Jacob and Bilhah. Genesis 30:6.

one of the 12 tribes of Israel, traditionally descended from him.

the northernmost city of ancient Palestine.

a male given name, form of Daniel.

Other definitions for dan (3 of 4)

Dan²

[ dan ]

/ dæn /

noun Archaic.

a title of honor equivalent to master or sir:Dan Chaucer.

Origin of Dan

1275–1325; Middle English <Old French danz <Medieval Latin domnus, contraction of Latin dominus “lord, master”

Other definitions for dan (4 of 4)

Dan.

abbreviation

Bible. Daniel (def. 1b).

Danish (def. 2). Also Dan

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use dan in a sentence

My younger kid, Dan, was a bit of a hellion, who, classically, Resisted Authority.
Gene Weingarten: Meet Fred, the Tooth Fairy|Gene Weingarten|March 25, 2021|Washington Post
One thing that excites Dan is how local and shopping are becoming more and more important in search.
Video: Dan Toplitt, SVP, Head of US SEO at Reprise Digital, on enterprise SEO|Barry Schwartz|March 22, 2021|Search Engine Land
We worked together seamlessly on the same staff in 2018 and because of Dan’s familiarity with our system, I expect a smooth transition as we continue to develop the talent on our roster and take the next steps as a program.
Maryland football hires Dan Enos as offensive coordinator|Emily Giambalvo|January 11, 2021|Washington Post
Because that’s the formula — he’s everything Dan is looking for.
The NFL has tried to address its minority hiring problem. Will this year be different?|Adam Kilgore|December 17, 2020|Washington Post

Pam called the police while Dan looked up their family’s credit card statements online to see where Aaron could be.
For months, he helped his son keep suicidal thoughts at bay. Then came the pandemic.|William Wan|November 23, 2020|Washington Post
Its first sale was a Dan Colen work, which sold for “something like $120,000 or $150,000.”
William, Kate, and Jay Z’s Favorite Art Star: Alexander Gilkes' World of Rock Stars and Royalty|Tim Teeman|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The real power lies in a handful of men like Dan Loeb, who personally put up a million dollars to take over the Senate.
Hunger Games Comes to New York State’s Public Schools|Zephyr Teachout|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In his first term, Dan Malloy enacted a hugely ambitious progressive agenda.
Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy to Democrats: Grow a Pair|David Freedlander|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But perhaps a better name for this crowd would be “the Dan Malloy wing of the Democratic Party.”
Dan Malloy Is Progressives’ Dream Governor. So Why Isn’t He Winning?|David Freedlander|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was that Twitter rant by Dan Haseltine, lead singer of Jars of Clay, supporting gay marriage.
Is the Christian Music Industry Softening on Gays?|Matthew Paul Turner|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lawrence and Dan were passing a newspaper office, before which a large crowd had gathered, reading the war bulletins.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
Lawrence and Dan were told of the danger that threatened Fulton, and they determined to accompany Guitar in his expedition.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
It was not until they were on the ferryboat crossing the river that Harry was aware that Lawrence and Dan were of the number.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
Dan inserted the primer, pulled the lanyard and sent the contents of the gun into the ranks of the enemy.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
There was no need of Lawrence signaling Dan to come on, for the squad were urging their horses to the limit.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn

British Dictionary definitions for dan (1 of 5)

dan¹

/ (dæn) /

noun

a small buoy used as a marker at seaAlso called: dan buoy

Word Origin for dan

C17: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for dan (2 of 5)

dan²

/ (dæn) /

noun martial arts

any one of the 10 black-belt grades of proficiency

a competitor entitled to dan grading

Compare kyu

Word Origin for dan

Japanese

British Dictionary definitions for dan (3 of 5)

Dan¹

/ (dæn) /

noun

an archaic title of honour, equivalent to Master or SirDan Chaucer

British Dictionary definitions for dan (4 of 5)

Dan²

/ (dæn) /

noun Old Testament

the fourth son of Jacob (Genesis 30:1–6)
the tribe descended from him

a city in the northern territory of Canaan

British Dictionary definitions for dan (5 of 5)

Dan.

abbreviation for

Bible Daniel

Danish

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012