noun
Common
nancy
NAN-see
Nancy (noun) means a dated, derogatory slang term for an effeminate man. Example: “The insult "nancy boy" sounds badly outdated now.”
noun
1
A dated, derogatory slang term for an effeminate man.
"The insult "nancy boy" sounds badly outdated now."
name
1
A female given name; also a city in north-eastern France.
"Prior to the House passing the legislation, only four Republicans had joined all Democrats in signing a petition to force a vote - Thomas Massie, Lauren Boebert, Nancy Mace and Marjorie Taylor Greene."
— Brandon Drenon, The only 'no' vote on releasing Epstein files (2025)
"There are many Nancies and Jerries in the world. They get told apart by a further name, such as Nancy Lovelace, or Jerry Turing."
— Ira Pohl, Nested Classes (2003)
"Maplewood, New Jersey Mayor Nancy Adams said her community banned gas-powered blowers in January 2023."
— Wayne Parry, U.S. bans on gasoline-powered leaf blowers grow, as does blowback from landscaping industry (2024)
How to use nancy
Learner’s notes
When to use it
The slang sense is dated and offensive; the given name and place name are neutral.
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Word forms
- Plural
- nancies, nancys
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The insult "_____ boy" sounds badly outdated now.
Etymology
From "Nancy," a pet form of the names Agnes and Anne.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for nancy
fancy
Yancy
clancy
truancy
vacancy
infancy
buoyancy
vagrancy
constancy
pregnancy
occupancy
necromancy
See all rhymes for nancy →
Frequently asked questions
What does “nancy” mean?
The word “nancy” means a dated, derogatory slang term for an effeminate man.
How do you pronounce “nancy”?
“Nancy” is pronounced NAN-see (/ˈnænsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “nancy” in a sentence?
Here is “nancy” used in a sentence: “The insult "nancy boy" sounds badly outdated now.”
What part of speech is “nancy”?
Depending on how it is used, “nancy” can be a noun and a name.
Is “nancy” a common word?
“Nancy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “nancy” have?
“Nancy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dated, derogatory slang term for an effeminate man.
What is the difference between Nancy as a name and nancy as a slang word?
Capitalised, Nancy is a female given name and also the name of a city in north-eastern France. Written in lower case, nancy is a dated, derogatory slang term for an effeminate man, so context and capitalisation usually make the intended meaning clear.
Is it offensive to call someone a nancy?
Yes. As a noun, nancy is a derogatory slang term aimed at an effeminate man, and it is considered dated and insulting. It is best avoided in modern speech and writing.
Are nancy and nancy boy the same thing?
They overlap in meaning, as both are dated, disparaging slang for an effeminate man. Nancy is the shorter form, while nancy boy is the fuller expression, but both carry the same insulting tone and are best avoided.
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