nap
verb (used without object)
to sleep for a short time; doze.
nap
1 American
[nap]
/ næp /
nap
2
American
[nap]
/ næp /
noun
-
the short fuzzy ends of fibers on the surface of cloth, drawn up in napping.
-
any downy coating, as on plants.
verb (used with object)
napped,
napping
nap
3
American
[nap]
/ næp /
noun
-nap
4
American
nap
1
British
/ næp /
noun
-
Also called: napoleon. a card game similar to whist, usually played for stakes
-
a call in this card game, undertaking to win all five tricks
-
horse racing a tipster's choice for an almost certain winner
-
-
to undertake to win all five tricks at nap
-
to risk everything on one chance
-
-
slang to hold in disfavour
-
a position in which there is a very good chance of success if a risk is taken
verb
nap
2
British
/ næp /
noun
-
-
the raised fibres of velvet or similar cloth
-
the direction in which these fibres lie when smoothed down
-
-
any similar downy coating
-
informal blankets, bedding
verb
nap
3
British
/ næp /
verb
-
to sleep for a short while; doze
-
to be unaware or inattentive; be off guard (esp in the phrase catch someone napping )
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of nap1
First recorded before 900; Middle English verb nappen, Old English hnappian, hnæppian “to sleep, slumber, doze”; cognate with Old High German (h)naffezen, Middle High German, German nafzen “to slumber”
Origin of nap2
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English noppe, nop(e); probably from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch, nop, noppe; possibly from Old English (wull)hnoppa “(wool) tuft, tuft”
Origin of nap3
First recorded in 1820–25; shortened form of napoleon
Explanation
If you’re really tired during the day, go ahead and take a nap, even if you have to hide under your desk. A nap is a brief sleep. Good night. When you take a nap, you rest, usually during the daytime. In some cultures, everybody naps after lunch, while in other places naps are only for young children and elderly people. Sigh. A second meaning of nap is "slightly fuzzy texture," like the nap of a jacket or the nap of a rug. This kind of nap stems from the Middle Low German noppe, "tuft of wool."
Vocabulary lists containing nap
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The other afternoon, I was trying to take a nap.
From Salon â—Ź Aug. 20, 2026
If I can get a good power nap in, I’m ready to transition into more nighttime vibes.
From Los Angeles Times â—Ź Aug. 14, 2026
Once everyone is locked in, COs get to lounge around inside the bubble: eat, drink coffee, flirt with each other, complain, maybe nap until they have to perform the 10:30 p.m. count.
From Slate â—Ź Aug. 11, 2026
I add the hours of my nap to my night sleep.
From The Wall Street Journal â—Ź Aug. 10, 2026
I followed him back to my bedroom, and held my breath as he settled onto my bed for his midmorning nap.
From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas
Some napped on a beach with their faces shielded from the sun by plastic bags or T-shirts, while others rested with backpacks tucked beneath their heads.
From Barron's â—Ź Aug. 6, 2026
But a few spots go further, inviting guests to purchase the sofa they napped on, or coffee table where they ate breakfast.
From The Wall Street Journal â—Ź Jan. 7, 2026
Smith was so laid back he often napped on a clubhouse couch or in the training room for the first four or five innings before heading to the bullpen.
From Los Angeles Times â—Ź Feb. 23, 2025
“I love this place,” Marion said in the space where a half-dozen other people napped and charged their phones.
From Seattle Times â—Ź May 27, 2024
The strict discipline was occasionally lightened when Frances napped at the kitchen table.
From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison
The boy was supposed to be napping but escaped his parents' supervision for at least 45 minutes, and climbed into the car.
From Barron's â—Ź Jun. 25, 2026
I’m surprised Rubio didn’t trot out after the cameras caught Trump napping to testify that he’s never seen him asleep.
From Salon â—Ź Jun. 19, 2026
Is the man napping on a beam in one photograph the same as the one listening to the radio in another?
From The Wall Street Journal â—Ź May 22, 2026
McIlroy closed his eyes - seemingly meditating rather than napping - as he sat propped against an advertising board while waiting or several minutes on the 10th tee.
From BBC â—Ź May 16, 2026
It was a day for napping, for sitting still, for clover chains, and picking swinks in the windless sunshine.
From "Orphan Island" by Laurel Snyder
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
