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Synonyms

fanny

American  
[fan-ee] / ˈfæn i /

noun

Informal.
fannies plural
  1. the buttocks.


fanny British  
/ ˈfænɪ /

noun

  1. taboo the female genitals

  2. the buttocks

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

Despite the theory that this word derives from the name `Fanny', its use in British English is still considered taboo by many people, and is likely to cause offence. In the US the word refers to the buttocks. Serious misunderstanding may therefore arise when what people in Britain know as a `bumbag' is referred to in the US as a `fanny pack'

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

Etymology

Origin of fanny

1925–30; of obscure origin; relation, if any, to British fanny “vulva” (vulgar) is unclear

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The detour into stunt work in the U.S. and Hong Kong kept his skills sharp, and the Daniels showcased his expertise with the fanny pack fight in "Everything Everywhere All at Once."

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2025

Ken Jeong is unfrozen into a present day full of miracles: fanny packs, drone delivery, Popeyes’ new chicken wings.

From New York Times • Feb. 11, 2024

One speaker, clad in an American flag shirt and sparkly fanny pack, boasted of having driven his Kennedy bus up from Tampa, Florida, for the event.

From Slate • Oct. 10, 2023

She creates clothing and accessories, including custom fanny packs for carrying left ventricle assist devices, and is a motivational speaker.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 5, 2023

A silver, glittery fanny pack hangs off her waist.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

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