napped; napping
: a hairy, fuzzy, or downy surface (as on a fabric)
British
: a pick or recommendation as a good bet to win a contest (such as a horse race)
also
: one named in a nap
Examples of nap in a Sentence
Verb (1)
decided to let the kids nap for a few more minutes before waking them
I'm just going to nap the entire afternoon
Noun (1)
so tired that she needed to take a refreshing nap before soccer practice
Noun (2)
high-quality suede has a good, even nap
Recent Examples on the Web
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Ramen Dog Dreams Some canine parade participants chose to nap through the event.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Ilana Frost, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
The victim was taking a nap after returning home from her accounting job when the assailant broke into her home.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nap
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Verb
The deep seat is just asking to be napped on.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Ramen Dog Dreams Some canine parade participants chose to nap through the event.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
May your only labor be deciding between poolside, beachside, or bedside naps.
—Ilana Frost, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
The victim was taking a nap after returning home from her accounting job when the assailant broke into her home.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nap
Cite this Entry
“Nap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nap. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nap
1 of 4 verb
napped; napping
1
: to sleep briefly especially during the day
2
: to be off guard
was caught napping
nap
2 of 4 noun
: a short sleep especially during the day
nap
3 of 4 noun
: a hairy or downy surface on a woven fabric or leather
nappy
adjective
ˈnap-ē
nap
4 of 4 verb
napped; napping
: to raise a nap on fabric or leather
Etymology
Verb
Old English hnappian "to doze"
Noun
Middle English noppe "soft surface on a fabric," from early Dutch noppe "tuft of wool, nap"
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