nap

1 of 6

verb (1)

ˈnap 

napped; napping

intransitive verb

1

: to sleep briefly especially during the day : doze

2

: to be off guard

nap

2 of 6

noun (1)

: a short sleep especially during the day : snooze

nap

3 of 6

noun (2)

: a hairy, fuzzy, or downy surface (as on a fabric)

napless

ˈnap-ləs 

adjective

napped

ˈnapt 

adjective

nap

4 of 6

verb (2)

napped; napping

transitive verb

: to raise a nap on (fabric or leather)

nap

5 of 6

noun (3)

British

: a pick or recommendation as a good bet to win a contest (such as a horse race)

also : one named in a nap

nap

6 of 6

verb (3)

napped; napping

transitive verb

British

: to pick or single out in a nap

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• catnap
• doze
• drowse
• kip [British]
• slumber
• snooze

Noun (1)

• catnap
• doze
• drowse
• forty winks
• kip [chiefly British]
• siesta
• snooze
• wink

Noun (2)

• down
• floss
• fluff
• fur
• fuzz
• lint
• pile

Examples of nap in a Sentence

Verb (1)

decided to let the kids nap for a few more minutes before waking them

I'm just going to nap the entire afternoon

Noun (1)

so tired that she needed to take a refreshing nap before soccer practice

Noun (2)

high-quality suede has a good, even nap

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The pants and shorts on sale during Alo’s sale are not only comfy enough to nap in but polished enough to wear straight off the plane. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2025

And for those times when parents want to nap or get a body wrap, there’s a full-time day care service. —Demarco Williams, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Noun

While conversation sets and dining tables are great for hosting friends and family, a comfortable rocking chair can be your own personal oasis for morning coffee, afternoon reading, and maybe even a midday nap. —Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 1 May 2025

If the Mom in your life is craving a nap or some solo time, encourage it! —Laura Broadwell, Parents, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English nappen, from Old English hnappian; akin to Old High German hnaffezen to doze

Noun (2)

Middle English noppe, from Middle Dutch, flock of wool, nap

Noun (3)

from to go nap (to make all the points in the card game Napoleon)

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1608, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1895, in the meaning defined above

Verb (3)

1927, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nap

• app
• cap
• chap
• clap
• crap
• flap
• frap
• gap
• hap
• lap
• nappe
• pap

Kids Definition

nap

1 of 4 verb

ˈnap 

napped; napping

1

: to sleep briefly especially during the day

2

: to be off guard

was caught napping

nap

2 of 4 noun

: a short sleep especially during the day

nap

3 of 4 noun

: a hairy or downy surface on a woven fabric or leather

nappy

ˈnap-ē

adjective

nap

4 of 4 verb

napped; napping

: to raise a nap on fabric or leather

Etymology

Verb

Old English hnappian "to doze"

Noun

Middle English noppe "soft surface on a fabric," from early Dutch noppe "tuft of wool, nap"