panned: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal (criticism sense); Technical (film/mining senses)
Quick answer
What does “panned” mean?
Severely criticized or reviewed unfavourably.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Severely criticized or reviewed unfavourably.
1. (verb, past tense) Moved a camera horizontally across a scene. 2. (verb, past tense) Separated gold or other minerals from gravel by washing in a pan.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The critical sense is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, the critical sense is strong and implies a thorough, dismissive rejection.
Frequency
The critical sense is frequent in media and cultural discourse in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “panned” in a Sentence
[Subject] panned [Object] (e.g., Critics panned the show.)[Object] was panned by [Agent] (e.g., The show was panned by critics.)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “panned” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The broadsheets absolutely panned the prime minister's speech.
- They panned for gold in the Scottish Highlands but found little.
American English
- The movie was panned by every major critic on Rotten Tomatoes.
- The camera panned slowly across the battlefield to show the devastation.
adjective
British English
- It was one of the most panned theatre productions of the decade.
- The panned sequel was quickly pulled from cinemas.
American English
- Despite being a panned film, it developed a cult following.
- The director's panned debut nearly ended her career.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could describe a poorly received product launch or strategy: 'The new marketing campaign was panned in the trade press.'
Academic
Rare in formal writing. May appear in media or cultural studies critiques.
Everyday
Common in discussions of films, TV, music, books, and public performances.
Technical
Standard in film/television production for camera movement. Standard in geology/mining for the separation process.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “panned”
- Confusing 'panned' (criticized) with 'penned' (written).
- Misspelling as 'paned' (which relates to window panes).
- Using it for mild criticism (it implies a harsh, comprehensive critique).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common for artistic works (films, plays, books, albums), it can be used for any thing or idea that receives harsh, widespread criticism, such as a political speech, a product launch, or a policy.
The critical sense derives from the mining sense. To 'pan' for gold is to wash away the worthless dirt and gravel to see if any valuable metal remains. Figuratively, a critic 'pans' a work by washing away (dismissing) its worthless elements, hoping to find some value. If they find none, the work is 'panned'.
Almost never in modern usage. The critical sense is overwhelmingly negative. The related phrasal verb 'pan out' (meaning to develop or succeed) can be neutral or positive (e.g., 'I hope this plan pans out').
'Panned' is stronger, more thorough, and often implies a consensus of failure. 'Criticised' can range from mild fault-finding to severe condemnation. 'Panned' sits at the extreme end of the criticism scale.
Severely criticized or reviewed unfavourably.
Panned is usually informal (criticism sense); technical (film/mining senses) in register.
Panned: in British English it is pronounced /pænd/, and in American English it is pronounced /pænd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pan out (to develop or end in a particular way; from the mining sense)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a gold PAN. If a film is 'panned', critics are trying to wash away any value, leaving only worthless dirt.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM IS A NATURAL DISASTER / PURIFICATION PROCESS. A panned item is 'washed away' or 'obliterated' by negative opinion.
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts is the word 'panned' LEAST likely to be used?