catnip
Americannoun
noun
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
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.
And Citizen Vigilante is a disturbing film that is catnip for the internet’s worst people, Rebecca Onion explains.
From Slate ● Jun. 26, 2026
One is the sheer complexity of the federal budget and its absurd lack of transparency; this is catnip for conspiracy theorists.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 4, 2026
The Grand Slams have become catnip for luxury brands, social media influencers and celebrities, all of whom appear eager to see and be seen on the grounds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 15, 2026
I started at the outer ring of the funnel: the tourist catnip.
From Salon ● Dec. 7, 2025
He smelled like soapsuds and catnip and the ocean at night.
From "Crenshaw" by Katherine Applegate
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.
