grandpa
gb/ɡɹˈændpˌɑ/ us/ɡɹˈændpˌɑ/
A1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
informal
A1
role
1
a person's grandfather
your grandfather (your mother’s or father’s father).
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s grandpa
Common mistake:
Don’t use it in very formal writing; use “grandfather” instead.
Synonyms
grandfather (More formal and neutral.)
|
granddad (Similar meaning; also informal.)
|
grampa (Alternative spelling; same meaning.)
Antonyms
grandma (Female counterpart (grandmother).)
Collocations
my grandpa
|your grandpa
|his grandpa
|her grandpa
|our grandpa
|grandpa's house
|visit grandpa
|call grandpa
|grandpa and grandma
|stay with grandpa
Themes
family
|relationships
|daily_life
Examples
- My grandpa taught me how to fish when I was little.
- We’re visiting Grandpa this weekend for his birthday.
- Her grandpa lives on a farm outside the city.
Learner examples
- My grandpa is 70 years old.
- I love my grandpa.
Noun
informal
A1
role
2
used to address a grandfather
a word you say when you talk to your grandfather.
Usage pattern:
Grandpa, [sentence]
Common mistake:
In writing, it is often capitalized (“Grandpa”) when used like a name.
Synonyms
Grandfather (More formal; less common as a direct form of address.)
|
Granddad (Similar informal form of address in some families.)
Antonyms
Grandma (Female counterpart used to address a grandmother.)
Collocations
Grandpa, look!
|Grandpa, can you help me?
|Grandpa, I missed you
|Thanks, Grandpa
|Goodnight, Grandpa
|I love you, Grandpa
|Grandpa said
|Ask Grandpa
|Grandpa told me
|Grandpa laughed
Themes
family
|conversation
Examples
- Grandpa, will you read me a story?
- I hugged him and said, “Thanks, Grandpa.”
- “Grandpa, slow down!” she called from behind.
Learner examples
- Grandpa, help me please.
- Good night, Grandpa.
Noun
informal
B1
entity
3
an old man (informal)
an old man (sometimes friendly, sometimes rude).
Usage pattern:
a grandpa
Common mistake:
Be careful: calling a stranger “grandpa” can sound rude or patronizing.
Synonyms
old man (Neutral description; less family-like.)
|
elderly man (More polite and neutral.)
|
geezer (Often rude or joking; stronger than “grandpa.”)
Antonyms
young man (Opposite in age.)
Collocations
some grandpa
|a sweet grandpa
|a grumpy grandpa
|that grandpa over there
|old grandpa
|a grandpa in a cap
|a grandpa with a cane
|like a grandpa
|total grandpa
|grandpa energy
Themes
people
|age
|social_life
Examples
- Some grandpa on the bus offered her his seat.
- He dresses like a grandpa, even though he’s only 35.
- Don’t be such a grandpa—try the new app.
Learner examples
- That grandpa is very kind.
Grammar
Dictionary form
grandpa
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈændpˌɑ/
US/ɡɹˈændpˌɑ/
Syllables & stress
grandpa (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (grandpa)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: grandpa
- Plural: grandpas
Word family
Forms
grandpas
noun
Core family
Related words
Advanced or less common
grandfatherly
adjective
grandparental
adjective
Expressions
grandpa clock
1/ɡɹˈændpˌɑ klˈɑk/
fixed phrase
informal
tall freestanding pendulum clock
a very tall clock that stands on the floor.
Examples
- There’s an old grandpa clock ticking in the hallway.
- They restored the grandpa clock they found at an estate sale.
grandpa jokes
1/ɡɹˈændpˌɑ d͡ʒˈoʊks/
fixed phrase
informal
old-fashioned, gentle jokes
simple jokes that sound like an older person would tell them.
Examples
- He kept telling grandpa jokes that made everyone groan.
- The movie is full of grandpa jokes and nostalgic humor.
grandpa vibes
1/ɡɹˈændpˌɑ vˈaɪbz/
fixed phrase
slang
old-fashioned, grandfather-like feel
a style or feeling like a grandfather’s.
Examples
- That sweater is cozy, but it definitely has grandpa vibes.
- He gives off grandpa vibes because he’s always reading the newspaper.