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.
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
At a public hearing last month, Nan Trout, who lives near the beach, presented the committee with a long list of reasons to keep the ban in place.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 23, 2026
Tate - as Nan - will also be treating the audience to a musical number.
From BBC ● Mar. 19, 2026
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
Momma is in that picture and so are Wynn and Nan.
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
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
He also had a tattoo on his right arm which said "nan", along with a clover and the colours of the Irish flag.
From BBC ● Mar. 16, 2026
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar had originally proposed increasing bills by 9.5%, but the local authority's policy and resources committee backed a lower figure of 8.5%, which was confirmed on Tuesday.
From BBC ● Feb. 26, 2026
Urras nan Tursachan, the owners and operators of the visitor centre, have welcomed an entry fee.
From BBC ● Nov. 24, 2025
“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.
