Gramps is an affectionate nickname for a grandfather. It's warmer and more playful than the formal word “grandfather,” showing closeness between grandkids and their grandfather. You might call out “Hey, Gramps!” when your grandfather walks in the door, or ask, “Can Gramps come to my soccer game?”

The nickname suggests a relaxed, friendly relationship. While some grandfathers prefer to be called Grandpa, Papa, or other variations, Gramps has a particularly casual, fun-loving feel to it. It's the kind of name that fits a grandfather who jokes around, tells stories, or teaches you how to fix things.

Sometimes people use Gramps as a gentle, teasing way to address any older man, like when a teenager might say to an elderly neighbor, “Thanks for the help, Gramps!” But be careful: using it this way with someone who isn't actually your grandfather can come across as disrespectful if you don't know the person well. The word works best when there's real affection behind it.