passifan

P3A1S1S1I1F4A1N1
/ˈpæs.ɪˌfæn//ˈpæsɪfən/

noun

A fan, particularly of science fiction, who watches and reads the genre but does not actively engage in fanac, or fan activity.

Opposite
actifan
Scrabble 13
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Meanings

nounpassifan (plural passifans or passifen)

plural passifans · plural passifen

  1. datedslanglifestyleA fan, particularly of science fiction, who watches and reads the genre but does not actively engage in fanac, or fan activity.

    I learned that last phrase from a femme passifan Miss Marlene Maples.

    1948 December, J. Harmon, Thrilling Wonder Stories, volume 33, number 2
    1 more example

    Passifan: The "unawakened" Fan, interested now only in reading the magazines and books; not yet participating in any activities.

    c. 1944, Forrest J Ackerman, Fantasy Flanguage

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
actifan

Origin

Blend of passive + fan.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

passifan. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/passifan

MLA

“passifan.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/passifan. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “passifan,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/passifan.

Source: passifan on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.