napped; napping
: a hairy, fuzzy, or downy surface (as on a fabric)
British
: a pick or recommendation as a good bet to win a contest (such as a horse race)
also
: one named in a nap
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
Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
The heartbreaking clip shared on TikTok earlier in November under the username @mythologicaldogs, shows the puppy napping in his first ever bed, enjoying every minute of his new life full of love and support.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025
Best Slip-on Shoe Deals After a decadent holiday meal, there’s no better feeling than changing into your comfy clothes and a pair of fuzzy slippers for a nice, long couch nap.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nap
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Verb
Andrew Scott, who was doing another movie at the time and was tired, would nap.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025
The heartbreaking clip shared on TikTok earlier in November under the username @mythologicaldogs, shows the puppy napping in his first ever bed, enjoying every minute of his new life full of love and support.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
Noun
The post-feast nap is often blamed on turkey, which contains tryptophan — an amino acid linked to sleepiness.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 27 Nov. 2025
Best Slip-on Shoe Deals After a decadent holiday meal, there’s no better feeling than changing into your comfy clothes and a pair of fuzzy slippers for a nice, long couch nap.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nap
Cite this Entry
“Nap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nap. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nap
1 of 4 verb
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
adjective
ˈnap-ē
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"
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