Nan

¹

[nan]

noun

1. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter N.

2. a female given name.

nan-

²

1. variant of nano- before a vowel.

   nanoid.

nan

/ næn, ˈnænə /

noun

1. a child's words for grandmother

Word History and Origins

Origin of Nan¹

see _nanny ; compare Greek nanna aunt, Medieval Latin nonna old woman

Example Sentences

"They call her Nan or Mrs Chicken or Mum," Ms Sutton said.

From BBC

Later, Nan, describing the type of play her mother favored when she first came to New York, allows Greenberg to indulge in some delectable self-irony.

From Los Angeles Times

“It was surprise upon surprise upon surprise, and then it turned into frustration and, eventually, anger,” his father, Nan Zhong, told The Times in a recent interview.

From Los Angeles Times

"I have hope that he's alive, even if it's a small chance," said Nan Sin Hein, 41, who's been waiting on the street opposite a collapsed five-storey building, day and night for five days.

From BBC

Nan Haworth, another Frodsham constituent, was "horrified" by the video footage of the attack, but glad to see Amesbury released on appeal.

From BBC

When To Use

What does nan- mean?

Nan- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “very small, minute.” In names of units of measure, it means "one billionth." It is very occasionally used in scientific and technical terms.Nan- comes from Greek nânos or nánnos, meaning “dwarf.”What are variants of nan-?Nan- is a variant of nano-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use nano- article.