# gran

/ˈɡɹæn/ (US) · /ɡɹˈæn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gran
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. grandmother

noun · CEFR A2 · Informal · British English

a friendly and informal name for your grandmother.

For teachers: an informal, affectionate term for a grandmother; common in British, Australian, and New Zealand English.

- We are going to visit my gran this weekend for her birthday.
- My gran still lives in the same cottage where she was born, refusing to move despite her family's concerns about the stairs.

Usage: Often used as a proper noun without an article when addressing or referring to one's own grandmother.

## Examples

- I am visiting my gran this weekend.
- My gran always keeps a tin of biscuits on the top shelf for when the children visit.
- While the formal register requires 'grandmother' in legal documents, most families in the region default to 'gran' or 'nana' in daily conversation to signal affection.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.