# granny

/ˈɡɹæni/ (US) · /ɡɹˈæni/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a grandmother

noun · CEFR A2 · Informal

a warm and informal name for your grandmother.

For teachers: an informal, affectionate term for a grandmother.

- We are going to visit my granny this weekend for her birthday.
- The children spent every summer at their granny's cottage, creating memories that would last well into their own adulthood.

### 2. an elderly woman

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a name for any older woman, even if she is not your relative.

For teachers: a colloquial term for an elderly woman, often used regardless of actual familial relationship.

- The little granny at the bus stop offered me a sweet.
- The local community centre organised a weekly tea dance that was popular with the neighbourhood grannies.

### 4. old-fashioned style

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

describes clothes or styles that look like they belong to an older woman.

For teachers: denoting a style of clothing or accessory perceived as old-fashioned or characteristic of an elderly woman.

- She wore a pair of vintage granny boots with her long skirt.
- The fashion designer's latest collection featured oversized cardigans and floral prints that leaned heavily into a granny aesthetic.

### 5. to fuss over someone

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal · Humorous

to act like a grandmother by worrying or fussing over small things.

For teachers: to behave in a fussy or overprotective manner typical of a stereotypical grandmother.

- Stop granny-ing me; I can cook my own dinner.
- He felt smothered by his roommates who would constantly granny him about his diet and sleep schedule.

## Examples

- My granny always makes the best apple pie.
- The children are spending the weekend at their granny's house while their parents are away on business.

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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.