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• Nan
  Nan

  noun

  a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter N.
• nan-
  nan-

  variant of nano- before a vowel.
• nan
  nan

  noun

  a child's words for grandmother

Nan

¹ American  

[nan] / næn /

noun

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

2. a female given name.

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nan- ² American  

1. variant of nano- before a vowel.

   nanoid.

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nan British  

/ næn /

noun

1. a child's words for grandmother

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of nan

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Nan nan

“For Geely, globalization is not a solo sprint,” Alex Nan, vice president of Geely Auto, told the audience.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

The upper house, meanwhile, elected Nan Ni Ni Aye, a regional MP from Karen state with USDP, as another vice-president, the junta said in a statement.

From Barron's ● Mar. 31, 2026

Hiding in plain sight that night, among the patrons scattered throughout the museum, was photographer and activist Nan Goldin, along with several members of her advocacy group, P.A.I.N.

From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2026

“A host of corruption allegations in Chinese arms procurement led to major arms contracts being postponed or canceled in 2024,” said Nan Tian, director of the Sipri Military Expenditure and Arms Production Program.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 28, 2026

I stared at her shoes, wishing that when I looked up, it’d be Nan standing there, right as rain just like she’d said.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Jade Fenton, 32, said her nan lost her home and nearly all her belongings, including hearing aids, jewellery, a wedding ring and other memories of her late husband.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

Her nan grabbed her "blind and diabetic" Yorkshire terrier Molly and pet budgie before leaving the property, said Jade.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

Earlier this year Western Isles council – Comhairle nan Eilean Siar – said it would consider building tunnels or bridges across the Sounds of Harris and Barra.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

Despite the "frightening" situation, Marley remained calm and used a mobile phone kept in a waterproof pouch to contact his nan on shore, who called 999.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

“Kore wa nan desu ka?” she asked politely.

From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata

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