Nan
noun
a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter N.
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Nan
1 American
[nan]
/ næn /
noun
-
a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter N.
-
a female given name.
nan-
2
American
nan
British
/ næn /
noun
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
Vocabulary lists containing nan
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.
See Examples For:
In one widely read post, Stripe’s head of climate, Nan Ransohoff, called for the sector to “dramatically expand” capacity to field an estimated increase of $50 billion a year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026
Before the pandemic, China's burgeoning middle class produced plenty of first-time high-end buyers, said Lisa Nan, editor at Jing Daily, a publication that focuses on China's luxury market.
From Barron's ● May 27, 2026
And Nan Goldin has been on both sides of that spectrum and lived to tell the tale.
From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2026
"They call her Nan or Mrs Chicken or Mum," Ms Sutton said.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2025
After my dad died and before I moved in with Nan, he’d tried to step in.
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
It was the second time her nan had lived in the bungalow, having bought it back after previously selling it.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
Jade said her nan was alerted by the smell of burning from the living room on Thursday afternoon and fled to join neighbours in the street who were also raising the alarm.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
Sandy McCook, chairman of Nethy Community Council, said he had witnessed a "major flare-up" on Mam Suim, Craig nan Gall and into Strath Nethy on Thursday evening.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
In 2021, Amy-Jane paid £4,000 for private surgery with help from her mum and nan.
From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026
“Kore wa nan desu ka?” she asked politely.
From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
