noun
Uncommon
nan
nan
Nan (noun) means an informal, affectionate word for one's grandmother, mainly used in Britain. Example: “We're visiting Nan on Sunday for lunch.”
noun
1
An informal, affectionate word for one's grandmother, mainly used in Britain.
"We're visiting Nan on Sunday for lunch."
name
1
A short, informal form of the given names Ann and Nancy.
How to use nan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA cosy, informal British word for grandmother, also used as a nickname for Ann or Nancy.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "naan," the flatbread — they sound identical but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
naan
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Word forms
- Plural
- nans
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We're visiting _____ on Sunday for lunch.
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."
Synonyms
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Related words
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.
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