granny glasses: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal
Quick answer
What does “granny glasses” mean?
A style of eyeglasses, typically with small, round or octagonal lenses, thin wire frames, and a bar or chain that connects the arms and rests on the bridge of the nose.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of eyeglasses, typically with small, round or octagonal lenses, thin wire frames, and a bar or chain that connects the arms and rests on the bridge of the nose.
A nostalgic, old-fashioned style of spectacles, often associated with elderly women or late 19th/early 20th-century fashion; can denote a specific vintage aesthetic, particularly associated with the 1960s counterculture when they were revived as a fashion item.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties. British English may also use 'granny specs' more colloquially.
Connotations
Both share the same core connotation of a vintage, small-lensed style. In the US, there is a stronger association with the 1960s 'hippie' fashion revival.
Frequency
Comparatively low frequency in both, but understood. Slightly more common in fashion/design contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “granny glasses” in a Sentence
wear + granny glassesa pair of + granny glassesgranny glasses + with + chainVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “granny glasses” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She's taken to granny-glasses-wearing since she found that vintage pair at the charity shop.
American English
- He's totally granny-glasses-ing that look for his retro band's photo shoot.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in fashion retail/product description.
Academic
Rare, potentially in historical/cultural studies of fashion.
Everyday
Used to describe someone's eyewear or a fashion choice.
Technical
Not a technical optometry term; used in fashion design and history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “granny glasses”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “granny glasses”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “granny glasses”
- Using it to describe any glasses worn by an elderly person (it's a style, not an age indicator).
- Confusing with 'pince-nez' (which have no arms).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. While the name uses 'granny', it is a unisex style famously worn by men like John Lennon and Harry Potter (in the films).
Essentially, yes. 'John Lennon glasses' are a specific, iconic example of granny glasses, so the terms are often used interchangeably, though 'granny glasses' is the broader category.
Typically yes, round or slightly octagonal. The key features are small lenses and thin metal frames. Completely square shapes would not typically be called granny glasses.
Generally not, as it describes a style, not a person's age. However, context matters; calling an older woman's actual prescription glasses 'granny glasses' could be perceived as impolite.
A style of eyeglasses, typically with small, round or octagonal lenses, thin wire frames, and a bar or chain that connects the arms and rests on the bridge of the nose.
Granny glasses is usually informal in register.
Granny glasses: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡræni ˌɡlɑːsɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡræni ˌɡlæsɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine your granny in her favourite armchair, reading a book through small, round, delicate glasses on a chain.
Conceptual Metaphor
NOSTALGIA IS A VISUAL STYLE (The glasses metaphorically 'frame' a bygone era).
Practice
Quiz
What is the strongest cultural association for 'granny glasses' in the 20th century?