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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

Chinese consumers have "matured a lot", becoming more discerning, said Jing Daily's Nan.

From Barron's ● May 27, 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

“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 personally think no meal’s complete without them,” Nan said.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

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

Jade said her nan has lung fibrosis which affects her mobility, but was proud to live independently.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

"When I called my nan, I told her I was okay, but granscha looked like he was drowning and we needed help," Marley said.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 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

“Your nan could never understand why Louise and I loved this show.”

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

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