a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter N.
a female given name.
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.
see nanny ; compare Greek nanna aunt, Medieval Latin nonna old woman
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"A host of corruption allegations in Chinese arms procurement led to major arms contracts being postponed or cancelled in 2024," Nan Tian, Director of SIPRI's Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme, said in a statement.
From Barron's ● Nov. 30, 2025
There will be full live Sportsound commentary of both qualifiers on BBC Radio Scotland, Radio Nan Gaidheal and BBC Sounds.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2025
“The trend is clear: In recent years, the excess return in the private market has been diminishing,” says Nan Zhang, global head of State Street’s private capital index.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2025
Later, Nan, describing the type of play her mother favored when she first came to New York, allows Greenberg to indulge in some delectable self-irony.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2025
When I shuffled into the hallway, I heard Nan on the phone.
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
"It is really good to go back to Longford and Leitrim, go back to where our granddad went to school, where our nan grew up, it was very special."
From BBC ● May 28, 2026
Her mum cared for her nan, who lived with her when she was younger.
From BBC ● May 24, 2026
"My nan would take the bets," he said.
From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2026
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has proposed a 9.5% increase, Midlothian is contemplating a rise of 9% and councillors in Shetland have suggested a 7.3% hike.
From BBC ● Feb. 19, 2026
“Your nan could never understand why Louise and I loved this show.”
From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
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.
