pan out

verb

panned out; panning out; pans out
Synonyms of pan outnext

intransitive verb

: to happen, end, or develop in a particular way : turn out
I'm really enjoying how this is all panning out now and it is so exciting and intriguing to watch and find out what happens next …—Gary Neville
especially : succeed
… the signs revealed that the experiment wasn't panning out … —Ronald Reagan
She [Dixie Hollins] noted that learning about arts and entertainment fills her creative side and works as a great plan B if her goal of working in the medical field doesn't pan out. —Karin Davis-Thompson

Synonyms of pan out

Relevance
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Examples of pan out in a Sentence

the eagerly anticipated kayaking trip never panned out the investment scheme didn't quite pan out
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But if things pan out for HoverAir, the Versa will be the first consumer drone to reach the US market since foreign drones were placed on the Covered List last December. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 18 Aug. 2026 The sweet video showed Diplo clapping his hands and dancing behind his laptop and speakers, before the camera panned out to show the youngsters. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026 But those hopes haven’t panned out as hoped and the team was forced to make some relief trades before the deadline and search for a potential back-end starter upgrade. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 Do things pan out the same way, or does Greg’s absence make their survival that much more unlikely? — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pan out

Word History

Etymology

pan entry 2

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pan out was in 1865

Rhymes for pan out

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Browse Nearby Words

panorpoid
pan out
panpipe
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pan out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pan%20out. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pan out

verb
: turn out sense 5
especially : succeed
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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