catnap

¹ American  

[kat-nap] / ˈkætˌnæp /

noun

1. a short, light nap or doze.

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verb (used without object)

catnapped, catnapping

1. to doze or sleep lightly.

catnap ² American  

[kat-nap] / ˈkætˌnæp /

verb (used with object)

catnapped, catnapping

1. to steal or abduct a cat, especially in order to keep it as one's own.

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catnap British  

/ ˈkætˌnæp /

noun

1. a short sleep or doze

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verb

1. (intr) to sleep or doze for a short time or intermittently

Other Word Forms

• catnapper noun

Etymology

Origin of catnap

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25; cat + nap ¹

Explanation

A catnap is a brief rest. If you need a break from studying for the big test tomorrow, you might take a quick catnap on the couch. Cats are famous sleepers, so it's not surprising that catnap was coined at some point during the 1800s. It describes a snooze that's fairly short and definitely doesn't involve climbing under the covers. You can take a catnap almost anywhere: on the bus, in front of the woodstove, or curled up in a comfortable chair like a cat! Use the word as a verb too: "I think I'll catnap for five minutes, right here in the library."

Example Sentences

It was love, yes, but also wanting a catnap because Hersh was still tired from his night out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

Some marine mammals sleep while swimming and some seabirds catnap while flying, letting one half of the brain doze while the other keeps working.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 27, 2021

He was a freshman in 1950, catching a catnap in his dormitory between classes, when loud voices outside woke him.

From Washington Post • Dec. 7, 2020

You can even grab a quick catnap on your break.

From Slate • Oct. 2, 2020

She had meant to take an hour’s catnap and be up well before her pupils, but the Incorrigibles had risen much earlier than usual, as children are apt to do on any long-awaited holiday.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood