flan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral. Common in culinary and everyday contexts.
Quick answer
What does “flan” mean?
A baked dish with an open top and pastry base or case, containing a sweet or savoury filling.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A baked dish with an open top and pastry base or case, containing a sweet or savoury filling.
1. A dessert consisting of a pastry case filled with egg custard and often topped with caramel. 2. (In some contexts) An open tart or quiche with a savoury filling. 3. A type of coin blank.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'flan' typically refers to a sweet dessert (baked custard with caramel) or an open pastry tart (sweet or savoury). In the US, 'flan' almost exclusively refers to the baked caramel custard dessert, which may also be called 'crème caramel'.
Connotations
UK: Neutral, culinary. US: Strongly associated with Hispanic/Latin American cuisine (flan de leche).
Frequency
More frequent in US English due to the popularity of the dessert in Hispanic communities.
Grammar
How to Use “flan” in a Sentence
bake a flanserve [OBJECT] with flanflan made of [INGREDIENT]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in catering or food manufacturing.
Academic
Rare, except in culinary history or food science texts.
Everyday
Common in discussions of food, cooking, and dining.
Technical
In metallurgy/coinage: a blank metal disk for minting coins.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “flan”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “flan”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “flan”
- Confusing 'flan' (dessert) with 'flan' (coin blank).
- Misspelling as 'flann'.
- Assuming it is always sweet.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, especially in American English. In British English, it can also refer to a savoury open tart.
They are often used synonymously. Technically, 'crème caramel' is the custard dessert itself, while 'flan' can refer to that dessert or a pastry-based tart.
In British English, it rhymes with 'plan' (/flæn/). In American English, it rhymes with 'lawn' (/flɑːn/).
No, 'flan' is not standardly used as a verb in modern English.
A baked dish with an open top and pastry base or case, containing a sweet or savoury filling.
Flan is usually neutral. common in culinary and everyday contexts. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “flat as a flan (regional/colloquial, implying something is very flat)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'flan' as 'FLAt aNd' smooth - describing the dessert's shape and texture.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONTAINER (pastry/caramel) HOLDING A SUBSTANCE (custard).
Practice
Quiz
In US English, 'flan' most commonly refers to: