noun

nappy

NA-pee

noun

An absorbent garment worn by babies (or others needing one) who cannot yet control their bladder or bowels; a diaper.

"Could you grab a clean nappy from the bag?"

"They go through dozens of nappies a week with a newborn."

adj

Describing hair that is tightly curled or frizzy, often used of Afro-textured hair.

"She wore her nappy hair naturally, without straightening it."

How to Use Nappy

Learner’s notes

UK vs US

"Nappy" is the standard British English word; American English uses "diaper" instead.

Easily confused with

diaper →

Common pairings

change a nappy nappy bag nappy hair

Word Forms

nappier comparative, nappier comparative, nappier comparative, nappied past tense, nappies plural, nappies plural, nappies singular, nappiest superlative, nappiest superlative, nappiest superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Could you grab a clean _____ from the bag?

Etymology

A shortened, "-y" form likely built on napkin, itself already a smaller version of an older word for cloth.

Rhymes for nappy

appy happy pappy sappy cappy chappy snappy slappy scrappy unhappy

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