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

• nappiness
  noun

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

Nappy and wipes brand, Pura is also focused on recycling.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

Hughes said he is hopeful the brewery will reopen this week, but he’s not sure if Adams will make it to the Nappy Roots show scheduled Saturday in Rapid City, South Dakota.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 18, 2022

“At the end of the day, it’s a disposable product and it’s going to be thrown away,” said Schanschieff, who is also chairman of the Nappy Alliance trade group.

From Reuters • Oct. 17, 2018

Local reggae band Nappy Rhythm performs two sets outdoors, beginning at 6 p.m.

From Washington Post • Mar. 31, 2016

"I wonder what has become of Nappy and Slugger?"

From The Rover Boys in the Land of Luck Stirring Adventures in the Oil Fields by Stratemeyer, Edward

Related Words

• diaper