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:
Tate - as Nan - will also be treating the audience to a musical number.
From BBC ● Mar. 19, 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
"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
Nan and I had a Relocation Rule for this kind of predicament: When something is totally new, pretend it isn’t.
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
Jade said her nan has lung fibrosis which affects her mobility, but was proud to live independently.
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
She said her grandfather died 10 years ago and her nan had happened to take off the gold wedding ring she wore, about half an hour before the fire.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
"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
“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.
