noun
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a member of a nomadic people living chiefly in N Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula of Russia
-
the language of this people, belonging to the Finno-Ugric family
adjective
Sensitive Note
Though Lapp, Laplander, and Lappish are still in use, the people themselves consider these terms to be offensive. They use the name Sami. The reason for the perceived offensiveness of these terms is their possible etymology from an Old Swedish word meaning “piece or patch,” alluding to the patched clothes that the impoverished Sami wore in the past. Lapland is still the acceptable name for the region inhabited by the Sami, though the Sami call it Sapmi.
Usage
The indigenous people of Lapland prefer to be called Sami , although Lapp is still in widespread use
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of Lapp
First recorded in 1855–60; origin uncertain; possibly from Old Swedish lapper “piece” (the Sami were so poor that they had to patch their clothes); or originally a term of contempt; compare Middle High German lappe “simpleton”; perhaps of Finnish origin; compare Finnish lappalainen “Lapp,” Lappi “Lapland” (meaning “northern wilderness”)
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:
Keep near-term spending money liquid, match bond maturities to expected expenses and avoid making bets about where rates will go next, Lapp said.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
Current owner, Cris Lapp, told the San Francisco Chronicle that the windows in the main building are reflective from the outside, providing an extra layer of privacy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2026
When you buy plantation teaks, you have a lot of wood that's just not usable, says Lapp.
From BBC ● Feb. 2, 2026
Lapp remained at the Alexandria jail, and the psychiatrist who evaluated him there ended his medications after Lapp insisted he did not need them.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 19, 2024
Lapp read the note, scanned it again, then wrinkled his upper lip, squinched his nose until the bridge was thoroughly grooved, and weighted down his entire prissy face with a formidable, puzzled frown.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
Formerly known as the Lapps, the Sami are believed to have originated in Central Asia and settled with their reindeer herds in Arctic Europe around 9,000 years ago.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 24, 2023
But he was already being equipped for man's estate: from the mountain Lapps he had a gift of a shield, and from Cousin Count Folke Bernadotte he had a pair of gold cuff links.
From Time Magazine Archive
Life among the Swedish Lapps who roam the tundras above the Arctic Circle was a dolorous affair a century ago.
From Time Magazine Archive
As far as Swedish Lapps are concerned, they specialize in Botany and use the Latin names for many plants.
From Time Magazine Archive
Some other Eurasian societies, notably the Central Asian pastoralists and the reindeer-herding Lapps and Samoyeds of the Arctic, had domestic animals but little or no agriculture.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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