English · Word Candidate

chan

/t͡ʃæn/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: chans

Sense 1

Meaning · English

An IRC channel.

NounRegister: informal

Examples

I tried, but I never get anyone in the chan! I don't know how/where to advertise... maybe we should set up a meeting time or something?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

An imageboard.

NounRegister: informal

Examples

more niche chans

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A major Chinese school of Mahayana Buddhism characterized by sudden enlightenment achieved by indirect means, developed in Japan as Zen.

Noun

Examples

It is possible that highly calligraphic painting styles, including the extreme forms of “flung-ink,” began at this time, but probably not under Ch’an Buddhist influence, which figured in the religious life of the dynasty.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “chan” mean?

An IRC channel.

Is “chan” formal or informal?

chan is generally informal.