Meaning & use
fanny pack
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountableAmerican
A small bag with a strap that you wear around your waist, used to carry small items.
Grammar: Countable; say 'a fanny pack' or 'fanny packs'. In British English, use 'bum bag'.
Patterns
- wear a fanny pack
- carry a fanny pack
- a fanny pack around your waist
He wore a fanny pack while hiking to keep his phone and keys handy.
She bought a bright pink fanny pack for her trip to the theme park.
Tourists often wear fanny packs, but locals think they look old-fashioned.
Word forms
| plural | fanny packs |
|---|
Common combinations
- wear a fanny pack
- He always wears a fanny pack when he goes running.
- a fanny pack around your waist
- She tightened the fanny pack around her waist before the race.
- a black leather fanny pack
- He bought a black leather fanny pack for his travels.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bum bag
- Bum bag is the usual British term for the same item; use it in British English to avoid the vulgar meaning of 'fanny'.
- waist pack
- Waist pack is a neutral alternative used in some brands and outdoor gear.
Commonly confused: fanny pack or fanny?
fanny pack vs fanny
In American English 'fanny' means the buttocks, but in British English it is vulgar slang for a woman's genitals; be careful with the word.
Practice
While traveling in the US, she kept her passport in a ______ around her waist.
Choose one answer.
'Fanny pack' is the correct term for a small waist bag in American English. 'Fanny' alone is not the bag; 'pack' alone is too general; 'backpack' is worn on the back, not the waist.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “fanny pack”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.