nancy
- 01 A1 Beginner
a common name for a woman.
a female given name, originally a diminutive of Ann or Anne.
Simple“Nancy invited all her friends to her birthday party last Saturday.”
In context“Nancy was a remarkably popular name in the mid-twentieth century, though its frequency has declined in recent decades according to birth records.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a city in the north-east of France.
a city in the Grand Est region of north-eastern France, known for its late Baroque architecture.
Simple“We took the train from Paris to Nancy to see the famous square.”
In context“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.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
a very rude and insulting word for a man who acts in a way people think is feminine.
a derogatory and offensive slang term for an effeminate man, often used as a homophobic slur.
Simple“The boys at the old school used to call him a nancy because he liked dancing.”
In context“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.”
UsageUsually used as a disparaging label or an insult.
Teacher's tipThis term is highly offensive and considered a slur in modern English; learners should recognize it in older literature but never use it themselves.
Synonyms
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.