nan
7 synonyms and 1 antonym for nan, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An informal, affectionate word for one's grandmother, mainly used in Britain.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
Etymology
A pet form of the once-common female names Anne and Agnes; the grandmother sense likely came via "nanny" under the influence of "mama."
Full origin of nan →Frequently asked questions
What does “nan” mean?
The word “nan” means an informal, affectionate word for one's grandmother, mainly used in Britain. In plain terms, a cosy, informal British word for grandmother, also used as a nickname for Ann or Nancy.
How do you pronounce “nan”?
“Nan” is pronounced nan (/næn/ in IPA).
How do you use “nan” in a sentence?
Here is “nan” used in a sentence: “We're visiting Nan on Sunday for lunch.”
What part of speech is “nan”?
Depending on how it is used, “nan” can be a noun and a name.
Is “nan” a common word?
“Nan” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “nan” have?
“Nan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal, affectionate word for one's grandmother, mainly used in Britain.
