catnip

noun

cat·​nip ˈkat-ˌnip 

1

: a strong-scented perennial mint (Nepeta cataria) that has whorls of small pale flowers in terminal spikes and contains a substance attractive to cats

2

: something very attractive

Examples of catnip in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This poignant love letter to bibliophiles and indie booksellers is absolute catnip for readers like you. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026

Plants like nasturtiums, chives, garlic, and catnip are powerful, recommends Carpenter. —Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 6 Feb. 2026

But big, physical, right-shot veteran defensemen are absolute catnip to NHL general managers this time of year. —Scott Powers, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026

The bottle in question is catnip for collectors of American whiskey—and unobtain-ium for the rest of us. —Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

cat entry 1 + obsolete nep catnip, from Middle English, from Old English nepte, from Latin nepeta

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

catnip

noun

cat·​nip -ˌnip 

: a strong-scented herb of the mint family that is especially attractive to cats

Medical Definition

catnip

noun

cat·​nip -ˌnip 

variants also catnep

-ˌnep, -nəp 

1

: a strong-scented mint (Nepeta cataria) that has small pale flowers in terminal spikes and contains a substance attractive to cats

called also cataria, catmint

2

: cataria sense 2