nana

[ nan-uh ]

/ ˈnæn ə /

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noun

Chiefly Northeastern U.S. grandmother; grandma.

Gulf States. godmother.

Chiefly Southeastern U.S. a child's nursemaid; nanny.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

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Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

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Origin of nana

1835–45; nursery word; cf. nanny

Words nearby nana

Namtar, Nam Tso, namu, Namur, Nan, nana, Nanai, Nanaimo, Nanaimo bar, Nanak, nana nap

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use nana in a sentence

Some factories do not employ Muslims on the premises who can oversee the process, Nana said.
Inside The Growing Organic Halal Movement|Sharon Adarlo|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Stern looks and mini-head shakes to Nana when she brought it up during her Christmas visit.
Telling My Family That I’m Leaving Again for Afghanistan|Nick Willard|April 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And Sarah, not even looking up, said, ‘Shove them up your ass, Nana.’
Sarah and Susan Silverman: Comedian and Rabbi are Perfect Sisters|Kevin Fallon|March 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Maybe it is the sheltered liberals who are trying to have their Tea Nana and drink it too.
Israeli Mayor: If I'm Racist, So Is Israel|Mira Sucharov|August 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Uploaded to YouTube on March 6th, the video of Nana dancing has already gained over a million views.
Dancing Nana: 88-Year-Old Grandmother Gets Down to Retro Tunes|Anna Klassen|March 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
While the majority pulled in one way there was an active minority that wished the Nana to set up an independent kingdom.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
Returning to Bithoor the Nana was proclaimed Peishwa amid the booming of cannon and the plaudits of his retainers.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
She never dreamed that she herself was a pawn in the game that was intended to bring Nana Sahib to Delhi.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
He advanced towards Bithoor and took up a strong position in case Nana Sahib might attempt to recover the city.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
This being seen by Nana, a king's daughter, she plucks some of the fruit, and lays it in her bosom.
Ancient Faiths And Modern|Thomas Inman

British Dictionary definitions for nana

nana

/ (ˈnɑːnə) /

noun

slang a fool

Australian slang the head

do one's nana Australian slang to become very angry

off one's nana Australian slang mad; insane

Word Origin for nana

C19: probably from banana

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012