Gran is a warm, everyday word for your grandmother — the kind you say at the table, not on a form. It is especially British and Irish; many American families say grandma or granny instead. It is a short form of granny, and granny itself is a pet form of grandmother. You will hear “my gran”, “Gran said…”, or Gran used like a name: “Does Gran want tea?” It feels close and homely. Children use it, and a lot of adults never stop. Though actually, in some families gran is used for grandfather as well, as a short form of grandpa, so you have to listen to how that family talks. Most of the time, if someone says gran, they mean the grandmother.