nappy

¹ American  

[nap-ee] / ˈnæp i /

noun

Chiefly Scot.

1. liquor, especially ale.

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nappy ² American  

[nap-ee] / ˈnæp i /

Or nappie

noun

nappies plural

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

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nappy ³ American  

[nap-ee] / ˈnæp i /

adjective

nappier, nappiest

1. Sometimes Offensive. (especially of a Black person's hair) tightly curled; kinky.

2. covered with nap; downy.

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nappy ⁴ American  

[nap-ee] / ˈnæp i /

noun

British.

nappies plural

1. a diaper.

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nappy ¹ British  

/ ˈnæpɪ /

adjective

1. having a nap; downy; fuzzy

2. 1. having a head; frothy

   2. strong or heady

3. dialect slightly intoxicated; tipsy

4. (of a horse) jumpy or irritable; nervy

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noun

1. any strong alcoholic drink, esp heady beer

nappy ² British  

/ ˈnæpɪ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nappiness
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• nappies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of nappy¹

First recorded in 1425–75; origin uncertain; probably from late Middle English noppi; see nap ², -y ¹

Origin of nappy²

First recorded in 1730–35; Middle English nap, Old English hnæpf, hnæp “cup, bowl” (further origin uncertain) + -y ²

Origin of nappy³

First recorded in 1490–1500; nap ² + -y ¹

Origin of nappy⁴

First recorded in 1925–30; nap(kin) + -y ²

Example Sentences

“You also see the outside: baby’s dirty nappy or Margo’s ordinary knickers or track pants, all the unglamorous and unsexy things.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Kearns continued: "The child was completely dry. They had a nappy in situ, which appeared to be appropriately placed."

From BBC • May 5, 2026

She said it was only when she returned to the bedroom that she noticed Thea was lying on the floor without her nappy or the blanket that had been covering her.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

"I was getting increasingly anxious and confused. I couldn't make a cup of tea or change Patrick's nappy," Lizzy, from York, said.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

It seemed to me that Margaret was saying nappy a lot.

From "Silent To The Bone" by E.L. Konigsburg

Related Words

• diaper