Word
nancy
Phoneticsnan·cy, stress on the first syllable
/ˈnænsi/
Definitions
01female name
A1 · Beginner Countable noun
n. a common name for a woman.
n. a female given name, originally a diminutive of Ann or Anne.
“Nancy invited all her friends to her birthday party last Saturday.”
“Nancy was a remarkably popular name in the mid-twentieth century, though its frequency has declined in recent decades according to birth records.”
02city in France
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a city in the north-east of France.
n. a city in the Grand Est region of north-eastern France, known for its late Baroque architecture.
“We took the train from Paris to Nancy to see the famous square.”
“The historic centre of Nancy is a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring some of the most refined examples of eighteenth-century urban planning in Europe.”
03offensive term for a man
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Slang · Vulgar · British English
n. a very rude and insulting word for a man who acts in a way people think is feminine.
n. a derogatory and offensive slang term for an effeminate man, often used as a homophobic slur.
“The boys at the old school used to call him a nancy because he liked dancing.”
“The protagonist in the novel struggled against the narrow-minded bullies who used terms like 'nancy' to mock any boy with an interest in the arts.”
Usage
Usually used as a disparaging label or an insult.
Teaching tip
This term is highly offensive and considered a slur in modern English; learners should recognize it in older literature but never use it themselves.
Synonyms
Etymology
Medieval diminutive of Ann and Agnes. Compare Betsy, Patsy.
From French Nancy, from Medieval Latin Nanciacum, from Old High German Nanzig.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. negative Nancy
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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