What does nap mean?
A nap is a short, light period of sleep, most commonly taken during the day. The related verb means to sleep briefly or do so lightly, as in “She napped for twenty minutes before the train arrived.” The word is neutral in ordinary English and appears in familiar expressions such as “take a nap,” “power nap,” and “nap time.” A nap is usually shorter and less restorative than a full night's sleep, although a strategically timed daytime nap can improve alertness and concentration. In British informal usage, “nap” also has a separate meaning: to steal, or to refer to a thief or pickpocket. This older sense can be surprising to speakers encountering it for the first time, but it is well established in informal British English. The standard form is “nap,” with the inflected forms “napped” and “napping.”
A short, light period of sleep, usually during the day.
"I was refreshed after a twenty-minute nap."
The compound “power nap” is common and specifically suggests a brief sleep intended to restore alertness.
To sleep briefly or lightly.
"He napped while the film was on television."
In British informal use, “nap” can also mean to steal.
Use the plural when referring to multiple short sleeps, as in “She takes naps on weekends.”
"The children enjoyed afternoon naps after lunch."
A power nap is a famous way to reset the mind, but the word “nap” also carries a British informal sense meaning to steal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nap come from?
The word “nap” comes from Middle English “nappen,” meaning to sleep briefly or doze. It developed in English as both a verb and a noun, with the noun originally referring to a short sleep. The word is related to forms in other Germanic languages, including Dutch “nappen” and German “entnappen,” which also refer to taking or stealing. The informal sense meaning “to steal” arose through a separate development from the idea of snatching or taking by surprise.
Related word forms
How nap is actually used
In everyday use, “nap” is neutral and generally refers to a brief sleep, often during the day. “Power nap” is a common modern expression for a short sleep intended to improve alertness. The meaning “to steal” and the noun meaning “thief” are informal and especially associated with British English.
Easily confused with nap
A nap is a short sleep, whereas to knap means to break or chip something, especially a hard material such as stone.
A nap is a short sleep, while the nape is the back part of the neck.