granny
granny
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "granny" is /ˈɡræn.i/.
gran: /ˈɡræn/
ny: /i/
Word Form Variations
Noun: granny (singular), grannies (plural)
Adjective: (No direct adjective form; 'granny-style' is a compound descriptive)
Verb: (No direct verb form)
Adverb: (No direct adverb form)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Granny
An informal and affectionate term for a grandmother.
Synonyms: grandma, nana, gran, grandmom (informal), grandmother (formal), nanna (British informal)
Antonyms: grandchild, grandson, granddaughter, mother
(Informal, often derogatory) An old woman, especially one who is fussy or old-fashioned.
Synonyms: old lady (informal), old biddy (derogatory), matriarch (if respected)
Antonyms: youth, young woman
(In compounds) Something considered old-fashioned, simple, or basic, often in a slightly dismissive way.
Examples: granny flat, granny knot (knot type), granny glasses
Synonyms: old-fashioned, simple, basic, traditional
Antonyms: modern, sophisticated, complex
Examples of Use
Books
Children's Books: Many stories for young readers feature a beloved "granny" character who tells stories or bakes treats. "My granny always made the best cookies."
Fiction: Novels might use "granny" to show a close, informal relationship with a grandmother figure. "She felt a pang of nostalgia for her granny's quiet farmhouse."
Memoirs/Autobiographies: Authors often reflect on the influence of their "granny" on their lives. "My granny, a woman of few words, taught me the true meaning of resilience" (HarperCollins, April 2024).
Newspapers
Human Interest Stories: Local newspapers often feature heartwarming stories about a special bond between a child and their "granny." "Local Granny Celebrates 100th Birthday with Community Garden" (The Daily Herald, July 2025).
Obituaries: While formal obituaries use "grandmother," a more personal tribute might mention how someone was a cherished "granny" to many.
Lifestyle Columns: Articles might offer advice on activities for "grannies" and their grandchildren, or discuss intergenerational living arrangements like a "granny flat."
Online Publications
Family/Parenting Blogs: Many blogs share personal anecdotes or advice for grandparents, often using the term "granny." "Fun crafts to do with granny this weekend."
Social Media: People frequently share photos and memories of their "granny" on platforms like Instagram or Facebook. "Missing my granny today, her wisdom was unmatched. "
E-commerce: Retailers sell gifts for "grannies" for occasions like Mother's Day or birthdays.
DIY/Craft Blogs: These might feature patterns for a "granny square" blanket or other traditional crafts.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Movies/TV Shows: Characters often affectionately refer to their grandmother as "granny." "My granny always said, 'A stitch in time saves nine.'" Animated shows frequently feature a wise or eccentric "granny" character.
Commercials: Advertisements for comfort food, family products, or health supplements often show children happily interacting with their "granny."
Video Games: Some games might have a wise elder character referred to as "granny" who gives quests or advice, especially in fantasy or RPG settings.
Podcasts: Personal narrative podcasts might feature guests recounting cherished memories or lessons learned from their "granny."
General Public Discourse
Conversations: In daily speech, people commonly use "granny" when talking about their grandmothers in an informal setting. "We're going to visit granny this Sunday." "My granny taught me how to bake."
Family Gatherings: Children and adults alike will often refer to their grandmother as "granny" at family events.
Gift-giving: "Granny" is a popular term for cards and gifts for grandmothers.
Figurative Use (often humorous or slightly derogatory): People might refer to something old-fashioned as "granny glasses" or a "granny knot." "That dress is a bit granny-style for a party."
10 Quotes Using Granny
"My granny always said a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, and life too."
"The very best advice often came from my granny in the quietest, most unexpected moments."
"There's a special and profound warmth only a granny's hug can truly provide."
"Every time I smell fresh-baked cookies, my heart takes me right back to my granny's kitchen."
"My granny taught me the enduring importance of kindness, resilience, and honest hard work."
"A granny's love is a timeless comfort, intricately woven into memories cherished through the years."
"She carried the quiet wisdom of generations, my strong, ever-patient granny."
"He always found solace and understanding in his granny's stories, woven with threads of the past."
"A granny's patience is a gentle, lifelong lesson in enduring and unconditional love."
"The simple, all-encompassing love of a granny can truly heal any emotional wound."
Etymology
The word "granny" is an informal, affectionate shortening of the word "grandmother."
The word "grand" comes from the Latin word "grandis," meaning "large," "great," or "old." It was adopted into Old French to form words like "grand-mère" (grandmother), indicating a generation removed.
The suffix "-y" or "-ie" is an English diminutive, often added to names or common nouns to create an informal or affectionate version (like "doggy" from "dog").
The shortening to "granny" began to appear in English around the early 18th century. Its first known use referred to one's grandmother in a familiar and endearing way, directly combining the sense of being a generation "great" (removed) with an affectionate diminutive.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Granny
Granny flat: A self-contained living area, typically at the back of a house, for an elderly relative. "They built a granny flat so she could live closer to the family."
Granny knot: A simple but insecure knot, often compared to a reef knot. "Be careful, that looks like a granny knot; it might slip."
Granny glasses: Old-fashioned spectacles with small, round lenses. "He wore thin, wire-rimmed granny glasses."
Granny wisdom: Practical, often old-fashioned, advice or common sense passed down by a grandmother. "Her advice on baking bread was pure granny wisdom."
Granny's garden: A nostalgic or affectionate reference to a well-tended, often traditional, garden belonging to a grandmother. "The scent of roses reminded him of his granny's garden."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of granny from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
