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.
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
He’d stopped what he was doing and was staring at 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
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
Her mum cared for her nan, who lived with her when she was younger.
From BBC ● May 24, 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
“What happened to staying with your nan in White-Leaved Oak?”
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
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.
