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• nap
  nap

  verb (used without object)

  to sleep for a short time; doze.
• -nap
  -nap

  a combining form extracted from kidnap, with the general sense “abduct or steal in order to collect a ransom”.

nap

¹ American  

[nap] / næp /

verb (used without object)

napped, napping

1. to sleep for a short time; doze.

   Synonyms:

   catnap, rest, nod

2. to be off one's guard.

   The question caught him napping.

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verb (used with object)

napped, napping

1. to sleep or doze through (a period of time, an activity, etc.) (usually followed byaway ).

   I napped the afternoon away. He naps away most of his classes.

noun

1. a brief period of sleep, especially one taken during daytime.

   Has the baby had her nap?

nap ² American  

[nap] / næp /

noun

1. the short fuzzy ends of fibers on the surface of cloth, drawn up in napping.

2. any downy coating, as on plants.

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verb (used with object)

napped, napping

1. to raise a nap on.

nap ³ American  

[nap] / næp /

noun

1. napoleon.

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-nap ⁴ American  

1. a combining form extracted from kidnap, with the general sense “abduct or steal in order to collect a ransom”.

   artnap; petnap; starnap.

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nap ¹ British  

/ næp /

noun

1. Also called: napoleon. a card game similar to whist, usually played for stakes

2. a call in this card game, undertaking to win all five tricks

3. horse racing a tipster's choice for an almost certain winner

4. 1. to undertake to win all five tricks at nap

   2. to risk everything on one chance

5. slang to hold in disfavour

6. a position in which there is a very good chance of success if a risk is taken

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verb

1. (tr) horse racing to name (a horse) as likely to win a race

nap ² British  

/ næp /

noun

1. 1. the raised fibres of velvet or similar cloth

   2. the direction in which these fibres lie when smoothed down

2. any similar downy coating

3. informal blankets, bedding

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verb

1. (tr) to raise the nap of (cloth, esp velvet) by brushing or similar treatment

nap ³ British  

/ næp /

verb

1. to sleep for a short while; doze

2. to be unaware or inattentive; be off guard (esp in the phrase catch someone napping )

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noun

1. a short light sleep; doze

Other Word Forms

• naplessness
  noun
• napless
  adjective

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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

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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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nap napped napping

Mr. Van Raan’s own paper never even had a chance to nap.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

In diligent, exhausted Japan, self-described elite "competitive sleepers" vied to lie down, relax and nap the fastest and deepest in a contest organised by a mattress company.

From Barron's ● Oct. 6, 2026

Before Chelsea's Champions League final victory in 2021, Azpilicueta could not take his customary pre-match nap and opted to study instead.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

As soon as it hits 9ish, my son needs a nap, so while he sleeps, Nakano and I go to a little playground, and I just let her run off some of her morning energy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

Try as they might, they could not nap, for it was still morning, and although they had arisen well before dawn, they were much too excited to sleep.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

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 ● Aug. 6, 2026

A few times, she has napped outside in the snow.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 3, 2026

In May, residents on Main Street reported that a bear had broken into multiple houses, including one incursion that involved a bear standing over 82-year-old Dale Hunter as he napped on his couch.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2025

“I love this place,” Marion said in the space where a half-dozen other people napped and charged their phones.

From Seattle Times ● May 27, 2024

When Phoebe reminded her that their mother had been lad- napped, Prudence said, “Oh Phoebe, Mom wasn’t kidnapped.”

From "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech

In a separate room with bunk beds for napping, younger children sat on a pink-and-blue mat, captivated by a teacher reading them a story.

From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026

“With Finch, I improved most with eating, napping, and taking breaks. I was excited to check things off—and felt guilty when I didn’t.”

From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2026

Though some providers schedule young children for 40 hours a week of therapy, CMS says that this is “not a best practice” and that children need time for normal activities like napping and eating.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 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 ● Jun. 19, 2026

Frolic yawned and rose from the blanket where he’d been napping.

From "Son" by Lois Lowry

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