noun
Nance
noun
1
A dated, derogatory slang term for an effeminate man.
"The old film used "nance" as a slur that would be considered offensive today."
verb
1
To move or act in an exaggeratedly prissy or effeminate way.
"He nanced across the stage for comic effect."
How to Use Nance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned and offensive slang word; avoid it in modern usage.
When to use it
Dated and derogatory — best avoided in contemporary writing or speech.
Word Forms
Nanced past tense, nanced past tense, Nances plural, nances plural, Nances singular, nances singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “Nance”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old film used "_____" as a slur that would be considered offensive today.
Etymology
From "nancy," compare "prance" and "mince" for the verb sense.