granny

noun

gran·​ny ˈgra-nē How to pronounce granny (audio)
variants or grannie
plural grannies
1
b
: a fussy person
2
chiefly Southern US and south Midland US : midwife

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The TikTok community is digging the fun hack and the garden granny herself. Kaitlin Kemp, House Beautiful, 31 Mar. 2023 It’s been a decade since that infamous liberal ad showing then vice-presidential nominee Paul Ryan pushing granny off a cliff. Kimberley A. Strassel, WSJ, 4 Aug. 2022 This quasi-autobiographical comedy/drama, by one of the most popular and prolific playwrights of the 20th century, is set in 1940s New York, covering three generations of a Jewish-American family who live in the same building as the granny’s candy store. Christopher Arnott, courant.com, 10 June 2021 Chintz’s current ubiquity has been building for the last few years, thanks in great part to its placement smack dab in the middle of two recent design trends: granny chic (aka grandmillennial) and biophilia. Kristina Mcguirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Mar. 2023 Drop the beat, granny! Alexandra Meeks, CNN, 29 Sep. 2022 Stayed at people’s granny’s houses. Max Bell, SPIN, 30 Aug. 2022 Her blog swelled with a distinctive aesthetic, delineated by the radical DIY of ‘90s riot grrrl, the hazy girlhood of Sofia Coppola films and backyard outfit photos in tulle skirts and granny sweaters. Sophie Lou Wilson, refinery29.com, 7 Mar. 2023 Mary shares her grandmother’s rebel spirit and love of cooking and is bravely dealing with the fact that her granny’s days are drawing to a close. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 23 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'granny.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

by shortening & alteration

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of granny was in 1663

Dictionary Entries Near granny

Cite this Entry

“Granny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/granny. Accessed 29 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

granny

noun
gran·​ny
variants or grannie
plural grannies
1
2
: an ankle-length dress usually with long sleeves and a high waist
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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