noun
nana
NAH-nuh
noun
1
An informal word for grandmother.
"Nana always bakes cookies when we visit."
2
A nanny or child-minder.
"The children's nana took them to the park every afternoon."
name
1
A female given name of Japanese origin.
How to Use Nana
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn affectionate, informal term for grandmother — also a shortened form of "banana" in casual British speech.
Word Forms
nanas plural, nanas plural
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Etymology
Formed by shortening banana, in the fruit sense; the "grandmother" sense is a separate, older baby-talk word found across many languages.