Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
👩‍🦳 A respectful title 🧓 A grandmother 💃 A mistress
bibi

bibi

8 9.5
An affectionate word for grandmother used in some South Asian families
  • noun
  • Indian
translation icon : abuelita
  • My grandmother, whom we affectionately call Bibi, makes the best samosas in the neighborhood.
  • Bibi says
  • remember Bibi
  • call Bibi

Instantly I know who it is because it says hi Bibi, which is like what Kami always says.

Examples

  • Every Sunday, we visit Bibi to listen to her wonderful stories from her childhood.

  • "It's amazing," I said, knowing it had probably taken Bibi hours to make.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • And Bibi and Bibi, this is the last story I have for you today, OK?

  • -So, Bibi, great to see you.

    Playing Mona Lisa (2000)

  • Bibi, you look fabulous, really.

    Playing Mona Lisa (2000)

  • The second year, I made a better choice; I gave Bibi a pair of earrings.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • "Close your eyes," Bibi said, unknotting the string on her present to me.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • At that first birthday party, Bibi had handed me a scroll tied up with gold ribbon.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • "Do you know his wife? Bibi?" "I'm afraid not," Gino said.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • "Auntie Bibi," Maude said, catching her hand, pulling her into the middle of the room.

    Fiction book (2000)

Synonyms

grandmother
vsbibi
∞ 1.0

A mother of one of your parents

is an affectionate family word used especially within South Asian families
nana
vsbibi
  • Informal
173 7.9

A friendly name used for your grandmother

is similar but is tied to South Asian family usage
granny
vsbibi
  • Informal
47 1.0

An older woman who is your grandmother or a friendly older family member

is a specific affectionate family term used in South Asian families
grandmama
vsbibi
  • Archaic
20 5.0

A loving old-fashioned word for the mother of your parent

is a modern affectionate family term used in South Asian families
bubby
vsbibi
  • Informal
5 9.9

A warm name for a grandmother in Jewish families

is used similarly but mainly in South Asian households
nan
vsbibi
  • Baby Talk
5 9.1

A child's word for grandmother used in Britain

is an affectionate South Asian family term rather than British usage
grandmom
vsbibi
  • Informal
4 2.0

The mother of your mother or father

is used the same way mainly within South Asian families
grandmamma
vsbibi
  • Archaic
4 8.1

An old-fashioned, loving name for a child's grandmother

is instead tied to South Asian family use rather than old fashioned usage
abuela
vsbibi
3 7.9

A grandmother in a family, often in Spanish-speaking homes

is used in South Asian families as an affectionate family term
gramma
vsbibi
  • Informal
3 7.2

A friendly name family members use for a grandmother

is similar but is associated with South Asian family use
abuelita
vsbibi
  • Informal
1 9.7

A loving name for an older woman used like a grandmother

is similar but is used mainly in South Asian families
grannie
vsbibi
  • UK
1 1.0

An older woman who is the mother of one of your parents

is used similarly but mainly within South Asian family tradition
Grammy
vsbibi
  • Informal
1 2.9

A friendly name family members use for a grandmother

is the affectionate name used mainly in South Asian homes
grandmammy
vsbibi
  • Informal
1 8.7

An older woman who is the mother of your parent

is similar but belongs to South Asian family speech
Oma
vsbibi
  • UK
9.0

A grandmother in families with German or Dutch background

is used similarly but mainly in South Asian families

Surface Forms

bibi singular
bibis plural

Etymology

Bibi can be an affectionate name for a grandmother, coming from the same Persian and Urdu bibi 'lady' used for an older respected woman. So calling your grandmother bibi is like calling her 'grandma' with love and respect.