# Manny

/ˈmæni/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. male nanny

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

a man whose job is to look after children in their own home.

For teachers: a male childcare provider employed by a family to care for children in a domestic setting.

- They decided to hire a manny because their son really wanted a male role model.
- The couple found that hiring a manny provided a different dynamic for their active boys compared to the previous childcare arrangements.

Usage: A blend of the words 'man' and 'nanny'.

Teaching tip: This term is often used playfully or in media; in professional contexts, 'nanny' is increasingly considered gender-neutral.

### 2. Manchester

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Slang · Dialect

a casual name for the city of Manchester in England.

For teachers: a colloquial or slang abbreviation for the city of Manchester, UK.

- He spent the whole weekend in Manny visiting his cousins.
- The local music scene in Manny has seen a significant resurgence over the last decade, drawing artists from across the North.

Usage: Commonly used by residents and in the UK hip-hop or grime scenes.

Teaching tip: This is highly regional; learners should be aware it sounds very informal and is mostly used by younger people or locals.

## Examples

- They hired a manny to help look after their three sons.
- After interviewing several candidates, the family decided that a manny would be the best fit for their active, sports-loving children.
- The rise of the manny in urban centers reflects shifting cultural perceptions regarding gender roles and the professionalization of domestic labor traditionally performed by women.

---

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.