catnip

American  

[kat-nip] / ˈkæt nɪp /

noun

1. a plant, Nepeta cataria, of the mint family, having egg-shaped leaves containing aromatic oils that are a cat attractant.

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catnip British  

/ ˈkætˌnɪp /

noun

1. another name for catmint

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Etymology

Origin of catnip

An Americanism first recorded in 1705–15; cat ( def. ) + nip, variant of Middle English nep “catnip,” variant of Old English nepte, from Medieval Latin nepta, variant of Latin nepeta

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

catnip

That catnip cast makes the series immediately interesting, not to say irresistible.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

One of the organisers of the 'Rescue Hoads Wood' campaign said the cleared site would now be "catnip" to both organised gangs and opportunist fly-tippers.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

Consider, say, the past 10 years — a period of almost unprecedented turmoil, which should have been catnip for hedge funds.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026

The companies’ business model has been like catnip to investors because unlike drilling for oil, which requires huge upfront investments, leasing land is capital light.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

She was preparing a catnip tea to send to the master.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

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