Skip to main content
grandmama

grandmama

20 5.0
A loving old-fashioned word for the mother of your parent
  • noun
  • /ˈɡrændˌmɑːmə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : abuelita
  • Every Sunday, we would have dinner at grandmama's house with the whole family.
  • mama and grandmama
  • Grandmama said
  • Oh, Grandmama

I'm tell you what, the last Mother's Day, my grandmama was alive.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Johnny's grandmama left him this house when she died.

  • This is my grandmama's ring.

  • Your grandmama... she used to force me to read this book all the time.

  • You feed your grandmama now, and you be sure to keep her dress clean.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • As my grandmama used to say, nothing better than a cream pie.

  • Your aunt, your mama, your grandmama, you know what they all say?

  • I think it will please you, Grandmama.

  • "You should eat properly," Grandmama said to Caroline before the door was closed.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Elizabeth was away again at Lancaster, spending the summer with her grandmama.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Happy birthday, Grandmama.

Synonyms

grandmother
vsgrandmama
1.0

A mother of one of your parents

is more old-fashioned and affectionate in everyday speech
grandma
vsgrandmama
  • Informal
468 1.0

A woman who is the mother of your father or mother

is more old-fashioned in wording while remaining affectionate
grandparent
vsgrandmama
275 1.0

A parent of your mother or father

is specifically old-fashioned and affectionate for the female role
nana
vsgrandmama
  • Informal
173 7.9

A friendly name used for your grandmother

leans more old-fashioned while remaining affectionate
granny
vsgrandmama
  • Informal
47 1.0

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

is more old-fashioned and gently formal in tone
gran
vsgrandmama
  • UK
38 5.3

A woman who is the mother of your mother or father

is more old-fashioned and less casual in feel
abuela
vsgrandmama
19 9.1

A personal name used for a grandmother or a respected older woman

is English old-fashioned and affectionate rather than a Spanish form
bibi
vsgrandmama
  • Indian
8 9.5

An affectionate word for grandmother used in some South Asian families

is English old-fashioned affection rather than a regional family term
bubby
vsgrandmama
  • Informal
5 9.9

A warm name for a grandmother in Jewish families

is more general old-fashioned English affection rather than cultural
nan
vsgrandmama
  • Baby Talk
5 9.1

A child's word for grandmother used in Britain

is more old-fashioned and slightly more formal in tone
grandmamma
vsgrandmama
  • Archaic
4 8.1

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

is similarly old-fashioned and affectionate in tone
grandmom
vsgrandmama
  • Informal
4 2.0

The mother of your mother or father

is older or more old-fashioned in tone
gramma
vsgrandmama
  • Informal
3 7.2

A friendly name family members use for a grandmother

carries a slightly more old-fashioned or formal flavor
babushka
vsgrandmama
2 8.5

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

is more English old-fashioned and affectionate rather than regional
abuelita
vsgrandmama
  • Informal
1 9.7

A loving name for an older woman used like a grandmother

is English old-fashioned and affectionate rather than a Spanish diminutive
grannie
vsgrandmama
  • UK
1 1.0

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

is more old-fashioned and quaint in style
grandmammy
vsgrandmama
  • Informal
1 8.7

An older woman who is the mother of your parent

is more old-fashioned in style while keeping affection
Grammy
vsgrandmama
  • Informal
1 2.9

A friendly name family members use for a grandmother

is more old-fashioned in wording while still affectionate
grandam
vsgrandmama
  • Archaic
1 9.9

An old-fashioned word for a grandmother

matches the old-fashioned quality but adds affectionate use
Oma
vsgrandmama
  • UK
9.0

A grandmother in families with German or Dutch background

is more old-fashioned English affectionate rather than a cultural term
grand-mère
vsgrandmama
7.9

A grandmother who is called by the French word

is English and more old-fashioned or affectionate in tone
nonnie
vsgrandmama
  • Baby Talk
9.2

A loving name family members use for a grandmother

is more old-fashioned and less like a modern nickname

How Formal

grandmother
1.0
grandmama
  • Archaic
20 5.0
grandma
  • Informal
468 1.0

Surface Forms

grandmama singular
grandmamas plural

Morphology

grandmama = grandma (transparent) = grand + mama

Formed by combining familiar kinship elements ('grand' + 'mama') and clearly denotes a grandmother in an affectionate register.

Etymology

Grandmama comes from joining grand and mama. The part grand means 'big' or 'older' and mama is a baby word for 'mother', so grandmama is a warm, old-fashioned way to say 'grandmother'.