definitions
  • synonyms

nappy

1
[ nap-ee ]
/ ˈnæp i /
|
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noun Chiefly Scot.

liquor, especially ale.

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RELATED WORDS

downy, frizzy, hairy, kinky, woolly, furry, velutinous

Nearby words

napoli, nappa, nappe, napper, napping, nappy, nappy rash, naprapath, naprapathy, naproxen, napster

Origin of nappy

1
First recorded in 1425–75, nappy is from the late Middle English word noppi. See nap2, -y1

Definition for nappy (2 of 4)

nappy

2

or nap·pie

[ nap-ee ]
/ ˈnæp i /

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

2
1870–75, Americanism; nap (Middle English; Old English hnæp bowl) + -y2

Definition for nappy (3 of 4)

nappy

3
[ nap-ee ]
/ ˈnæp i /

adjective, nap·pi·er, nap·pi·est.

covered with nap; downy.
(of hair) kinky.

Origin of nappy

3
First recorded in 1490–1500; nap2 + -y1
Related formsnap·pi·ness, noun

Definition for nappy (4 of 4)

nappy

4
[ nap-ee ]
/ ˈnæp i /

noun, plural nap·pies. Chiefly 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for nappy

British Dictionary definitions for nappy (1 of 2)

nappy

1
/ (ˈnæpɪ) /

noun plural -pies

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

Word Origin for nappy

C20: changed from napkin

British Dictionary definitions for nappy (2 of 2)

nappy

2
/ (ˈnæpɪ) /

adjective -pier or -piest

having a nap; downy; fuzzy
(of alcoholic drink, esp beer)
  1. having a head; frothy
  2. 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 Formsnappiness, 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

Word Origin and History for nappy

nappy

adj.

"downy," late 15c., from nap (n.1) + -y (2). Meaning "fuzzy, kinky," used in colloquial or derogatory reference to the hair of black people, is from 1950.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper