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Nana Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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nana

[ˈnɑːnə ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

family

A grandmother, especially one's own grandmother.

Synonyms

gran, grandmother, granny.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
nana

Similar to 'nana' but with a slightly different pronunciation, typically more common in American English.

  • My nana taught me how to bake bread.
  • Let's call Nana and see how she's doing.
grandmother

More formal than other terms, 'grandmother' is often used in writing, formal conversations, or when speaking with individuals outside the family.

  • My grandmother used to live in the countryside.
  • She wrote a letter to her grandmother.
granny

An affectionate term similar to 'gran,' 'granny' is also informal and widely used in casual conversations. It can sometimes carry an old-fashioned or slightly humorous connotation.

  • Granny loves knitting sweaters for her grandchildren.
  • We're going to visit Granny this Sunday.
gran

Also common in British English, 'gran' is another affectionate and informal term for a grandmother, used by people of all ages.

  • I'm spending Christmas with my gran this year.
  • Gran told me stories about her childhood.

Examples of usage

  • My nana always bakes the best cookies.
  • I love spending time with my nana.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

A banana.

Synonyms

banana.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
nana

An informal, playful term for a grandmother, often used by young children or in friendly conversations.

  • Nana is coming over for dinner tonight.
  • I love when nana reads me bedtime stories.
banana

A fruit that is long, curved, and yellow when ripe. Often used to describe something silly or crazy in a light-hearted way.

  • I packed a banana for lunch.
  • That idea sounds totally bananas!

Examples of usage

  • I packed a nana in my lunch today.
  • She grabbed a nana as a quick snack.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'nana'

The use of 'nana' as a term for grandmother dates back to the early 19th century in English, originating from the word 'nanny'. The informal use of 'nana' to refer to a banana is more recent, likely stemming from the similarity in sounds between 'nana' and 'banana'.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,916, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.