granny

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "granny" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a grandmother in a casual or affectionate manner. Example: "I visited my granny over the weekend." Alternative expressions include "grandma" and "nana."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She was in Coronation Street, appeared in Cabaret and The Sound of Music on the West End stage, and she's particularly fond of the character Laura West, the glamorous granny in 1990s sitcom The Upper Hand.

The Guardian

If you are an older woman - and by that I mean 40 plus - there is nothing to wear unless you want to look like a drab old granny and you go to the old fuddy-duddy shops where everything is ankle length and floral print".

The Guardian

Serves four. 3 small granny smith apples, peeled and cut into quarters 1 fennel bulb, cut in half (reserve the fronds for garnish) ½ cucumber Juice of 1 lime 140ml Hendrick's gin – I use Hendrick's because it has just the right floral notes you want here Juice the apple, fennel and cucumber, mix with the lime juice and gin, and pour into four tumblers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's when you attempt a subtle pout, often while angling the camera down your face so that you get your cleavage in shot, but overdo it to such a hideous extent that you end up resembling your own granny lurching in for a kiss.

The Guardian - Tech

Ten and 50 grams of granny smith apple are cooked sous vide for 20 minutes at 52C.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Janet Morrison, chief executive of Independent Age Freezing fees to care providers is directly causing the slow motion collapse of the care sector and somebody's mum or dad or granny - our elderly and vulnerable – are the biggest victims.

The Guardian

If an investor were to set up in town, he could walk into the local grocery and a granny would give him a pat on the back.

The Economist

A granny facing a police line-up, jangled by her recent mugging, will point to the perpetrator and naturally shout, "That's him, officer!" And as Geoffrey Pullum, a syntactician at the University of Edinburgh, points out, there are many cases where the nominative pronoun I, he, she, we, they in predicate position is so weird as to be unacceptable.

The Economist

Each time the taxman demands your money, he reduces your ability to pay for your own training, or insurance, or the care of your own granny.

The Economist

Children would of course rather stay at home than go to granny or join a gang.

The Economist

The stockmarket has been democratised; granny can do what was once reserved for boys in red braces.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "granny" in informal and affectionate contexts when referring to a grandmother. In more formal settings, "grandmother" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Be mindful when using "granny" as a general term for elderly women, as it can sometimes be perceived as patronizing or disrespectful. Consider context and audience to avoid offense.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "granny" is as a noun, referring to a grandmother. As exemplified by Ludwig, it often serves as an affectionate or informal substitute for the more formal term "grandmother". Ludwig also indicates that "granny" can sometimes function as an adjective, as in "granny dress".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "granny" is a common and generally grammatically correct term used as an informal, affectionate term for "grandmother". While Ludwig confirms it as a valid noun, and occasionally an adjective, careful attention should be paid to tone and the audience to avoid any unintended disrespect. As Ludwig highlights, "granny" appears most frequently in News & Media but it is important to realize the context in which it is being used and if it will be perceived as condescending.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Grandmother

More formal and less affectionate term for "granny".

Grandma

A common and affectionate alternative, similar in tone to "granny".

Nana

Another affectionate term, often used by children.

Nanna

Similar to "nana" in usage and affection.

Gran

A shortened, informal version of "grandmother".

Nanny

Can also refer to a caregiver, but sometimes used for grandmother.

Old woman

A general term for an elderly woman, lacking the familial connection.

Elderly lady

A more polite and formal way to refer to an older woman.

Senior citizen (female)

A demographic term, focusing on age and societal status.

Matriarch

Emphasizes the role of a woman as the head of a family.

FAQs

What is the definition of "granny"?

"Granny" is an informal and affectionate term for a grandmother. It can also sometimes refer to any elderly woman.

What can I say instead of "granny"?

You can use alternatives like "grandmother", "grandma", "nana", or "gran" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it appropriate to call any elderly woman "granny"?

While "granny" is an affectionate term for a grandmother, it's not always appropriate to use it for any elderly woman, as it can be perceived as condescending. Use it with people you know well or in very informal settings.

What is a "granny pod"?

A "granny pod" is a small, self-contained living unit placed on a family's property to allow an elderly relative to live nearby while maintaining independence.