Skip to main content
bubby

bubby

5 9.9
A warm name for a grandmother in Jewish families
  • noun
  • /ˈbʌbi/
  • Informal
translation icon : abuelita
  • The room used to be Mrs. Pahula's larder, and Bubby used to be Mr. Pahula's mother, from up the line, in Slabtown.

Examples

  • When business was slow, we would sit in the back room and play cards, or Bubby would tell me stories and impart her old world wisdom.

  • But our bubby had a little cold, you know.

  • What really brought it together for me was what my Bubby said on her death bed.

  • Bubby and I have never done anything like that.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Daddy and Bubby bonding time.

    Blog text (14)
  • "I think that I've lost her this time," Bubby says.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • What's going on with Bubby? - My mother isn't doing well, Yale, and that's why I called you here today.

  • It was just like Bubby's voice in my conscience if I even thought of doing something that was naughty.

  • Bubby is the Yiddish word for grandmother, and while I'm at it, Zeyda means grandfather.

  • My Bubby used to bake the most delicious challah for our family gatherings.

Synonyms

nana
vsbubby
  • Informal
173 7.9

A friendly name used for your grandmother

is used especially in Jewish families rather than general family use
granny
vsbubby
  • Informal
47 1.0

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

is used especially in Jewish families rather than general family use
grandmama
vsbubby
  • Archaic
20 5.0

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

is used especially in Jewish families rather than general family use
bibi
vsbubby
  • Indian
8 9.5

An affectionate word for grandmother used in some South Asian families

is used especially in Jewish families rather than in South Asian families
nan
vsbubby
  • Baby Talk
5 9.1

A child's word for grandmother used in Britain

is used especially in Jewish families rather than as a British child's term
grandmom
vsbubby
  • Informal
4 2.0

The mother of your mother or father

is used especially in Jewish families rather than general family use
grandmamma
vsbubby
  • Archaic
4 8.1

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

is used especially in Jewish families rather than general family use
gramma
vsbubby
  • Informal
3 7.2

A friendly name family members use for a grandmother

is used especially in Jewish families rather than general family use
babushka
vsbubby
2 8.5

An older woman, often a grandmother from Russia or Eastern Europe

is used especially in Jewish families rather than for that regional use
abuelita
vsbubby
  • Informal
1 9.7

A loving name for an older woman used like a grandmother

is used especially in Jewish families rather than in Spanish speaking families
grannie
vsbubby
  • UK
1 1.0

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

is used especially in Jewish families rather than general family use
Grammy
vsbubby
  • Informal
1 2.9

A friendly name family members use for a grandmother

is used especially in Jewish families rather than general family use
grandmammy
vsbubby
  • Informal
1 8.7

An older woman who is the mother of your parent

is used especially in Jewish families rather than general family use
Oma
vsbubby
  • UK
9.0

A grandmother in families with German or Dutch background

is used especially in Jewish families rather than for those heritage traditions

Surface Forms

bubby singular
bubbies plural

Etymology

Bubby for a grandmother comes from Yiddish bubbe, which means 'grandmother' and is used in many Jewish families. So a bubby is a warm, family name for your grandmother.