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grandpapa

[ grand-puh-pah; gran-pah-puh, grand-, gram- ]

noun

, Informal.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of grandpapa1

First recorded in 1745–55; grand- + papa
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Example Sentences

Rather than make me sad as they used to, my dad wanted people to listen to his music; whenever Christmas comes, I am happy to put on his album and play it for my children and tell them: "That is grandpapa singing."

From BBC

The two eldest little Knightleys were engaged to pay their grandpapa and aunt a visit of some weeks in the spring, and their papa now proposed bringing them, and staying one whole day at Hartfield—which one day would be the very day of this party.—His professional engagements did not allow of his being put off, but both father and daughter were disturbed by its happening so.

Having arranged all these matters, looked them through, and put them all to rights, she was just turning to the house with spirits freshened up for the demands of the two little boys, as well as of their grandpapa, when the great iron sweep-gate opened, and two persons entered whom she had never less expected to see together—Frank Churchill, with Harriet leaning on his arm—actually Harriet!—A moment sufficed to convince her that something extraordinary had happened.

“Babies are to be nut-crackered dead, for people’s poor grandpapa’s positions!”

“I am afraid that must be admitted,” said Herbert; “and then I shall come back for the dear little thing, and the dear little thing and I will walk quietly into the nearest church. Remember! The blessed darling comes of no family, my dear Handel, and never looked into the red book, and hasn’t a notion about her grandpapa. What a fortune for the son of my mother!”

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More About Grandpapa

What does grandpapa mean?

Grandpapa is an informal word for grandfather—the father of a person’s parent.

A much more common synonym is grandpa. The word papa is an informal way to say father and is much more commonly used.

Grandpapa should be capitalized when it’s used as a proper name, as in Please tell Grandpapa that I miss him. 

But grandpapa does not need to be capitalized when it’s simply used as a way to refer to him, as in Please tell my grandpapa that I miss him. 

Example: It doesn’t matter what you call your grandpapa, as long as you call him.

Where does grandpapa come from?

The first records of the word grandpapa come from the late 1600s. The word papa is first recorded in the 1600s but was certainly used in speech much earlier than that. The prefix grand- is used in family terms to indicate a person who is one generation removed, as in grandparent and grandchild. (The prefix great- indicates yet another generation, as in great-grandpa.)

Grandfathers often have special bonds with their grandchildren (who they’re known to spoil with love, affection, and candy). It’s common for grandchildren to refer to their grandfathers with informal names. Grandpa is perhaps the most common variant of the word grandfather, but there are many others, including grandpapa, grandpop, grampa, gramps, and grandpappy. Many families have their own specific version, such as Pop-Pop, Poppy, and Pa Pa.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for grandpapa?

What are some words that share a root or word element with grandpapa

What are some words that often get used in discussing grandpapa?

How is grandpapa used in real life?

Grandpapa is one of the many informal variants of the word grandfather. When it’s used as a proper name, Grandpapa should be capitalized.

 

 

Try using grandpapa!

Is grandpapa used correctly in the following sentence?

I’m a grandpapa of two and a father of five, so I know a thing or two about temper tantrums.

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