nap
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for nap, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To sleep briefly, especially during the day.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use nap
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English hnappian, "to doze", going back to a Germanic root shared with other words for nodding off to sleep.
Full origin of nap →Frequently asked questions
What does “nap” mean?
The word “nap” means to sleep briefly, especially during the day. In plain terms, a short sleep, usually during the day, or the fuzzy surface texture of a fabric.
How do you pronounce “nap”?
“Nap” is pronounced nap (/næp/ in IPA).
How do you use “nap” in a sentence?
Here is “nap” used in a sentence: “She likes to nap for twenty minutes after lunch.”
What part of speech is “nap”?
Depending on how it is used, “nap” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “nap” come from?
The word “nap” comes from Old English. From Old English hnappian, "to doze", going back to a Germanic root shared with other words for nodding off to sleep.
Is “nap” a common word?
“Nap” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “nap” have?
“Nap” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to sleep briefly, especially during the day.
What is the difference between a nap and sleeping?
A nap is specifically a short period of sleep, especially during the day, while sleeping more broadly covers any period of rest, including a full night's sleep. A nap is always brief and typically intentional or restorative rather than the main sleep period.
What does nap mean when talking about fabric?
When referring to fabric or leather, nap describes the short raised fibres on its surface, a completely different sense from the sleep-related meanings of the word.
Is nap used as both a verb and a noun?
Yes, nap can be used as a verb meaning to sleep briefly, especially during the day, and as a noun meaning the short sleep itself or, separately, the raised fibres on fabric.