nappy

[ nap-ee ]

See synonyms for nappy on Thesaurus.com

nounChiefly Scot.

liquor, especially ale.

Origin of nappy

First recorded in 1425–75; origin uncertain; probably from late Middle English noppi; see nap², -y¹

Other definitions for nappy (2 of 4)

nappy²

or nap·pie

[ nap-ee ]

noun,plural nap·pies.

a small shallow dish, usually round and often of glass, with a flat bottom and sloping sides, for serving food.

Origin of nappy

First recorded in 1730–35; Middle English nap, Old English hnæpf, hnæp “cup, bowl” (further origin uncertain) + -y²

Other definitions for nappy (3 of 4)

nappy³

[ nap-ee ]

adjective,nap·pi·er, nap·pi·est.

Sometimes Offensive. (especially of a Black person's hair) tightly curled; kinky.
covered with nap; downy.

Origin of nappy

First recorded in 1490–1500; nap² + -y¹

Other words from nappy

nap·pi·ness, noun

Other definitions for nappy (4 of 4)

nappy⁴

[ nap-ee ]

noun,plural nap·pies.British.

a diaper.

Origin of nappy

⁴

First recorded in 1925–30; nap(kin) + -y²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use nappy in a sentence

This modern autocrat suckles from your own breast and buries you beneath a mountain of sullied nappies.
The Book for Angry Moms | Eric Pape | March 29, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
Nappies are dishes or bowls of a peculiar shape which are made for pigeon nests.
Profitable Squab Breeding | Carl Dare

British Dictionary definitions for nappy (1 of 2)

nappy¹

/ (ˈnæpɪ) /

nounplural -pies

British a piece of soft material, esp towelling or a disposable material, wrapped around a baby in order to absorb its urine and excrement: Also called: napkin US and Canadian name: diaper

Origin of nappy

C20: changed from napkin

British Dictionary definitions for nappy (2 of 2)

nappy²

/ (ˈnæpɪ) /

adjective-pier or -piest

having a nap; downy; fuzzy
(of alcoholic drink, esp beer)
- having a head; frothy
- strong or heady

dialect, mainly British slightly intoxicated; tipsy
(of a horse) jumpy or irritable; nervy

noun

any strong alcoholic drink, esp heady beer

Derived forms of nappy

nappiness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse