What does napkin mean?
A napkin is a small piece of cloth or paper used at meals to wipe the mouth or hands, protect the lap, and keep clothing clean. Cloth napkins, often made of linen, may also be used as decorative table linens, while disposable paper napkins are common in homes, restaurants, and other settings. The word can refer less commonly to a small tablecloth, particularly in North American English. In British, Australian, and New Zealand English, “serviette” is also widely used, though it does not generally cover disposable paper products. “Napkin” is otherwise neutral and familiar, appearing in both formal and informal contexts. Its historical development is reflected in its name: it developed from a word associated with a tablecloth and carries a diminutive suffix, even though its modern meaning most often concerns a much smaller piece of fabric.
A small piece of cloth or paper used to wipe the mouth and hands during a meal, or to protect the lap and clothing.
"Please pass me a napkin."
The cloth sense is standard in British and North American English; disposable paper versions are also common.
Chiefly North American: a small cloth tablecloth.
"The old table was covered with a plain white napkin."
This sense is less common than the standard meal-cloth meaning and is chiefly associated with North American usage.
The regular plural is “napkins.”
"The restaurant supplied napkins and a paper cup with the meal."
The word “napkin” began as a diminutive associated with a tablecloth, but today it usually names the little cloth used to wipe your mouth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of napkin
The word entered Middle English in a form associated with the Old French nappe, a cloth or tablecloth ultimately derived from Latin nap(p)a. Its later English form reflects the influence of the diminutive suffix -kin. As it developed, its meaning narrowed from a tablecloth to a smaller cloth used at meals, while “napkin” later acquired the broader sense of a small tablecloth in some varieties of English. Related forms include French nappe, nappée, and nappa.
Related word forms
How napkin is actually used
“Serviette” is common in British, Australian, and New Zealand English, whereas “napkin” is used in both British and North American English. The occasional sense meaning a small tablecloth is chiefly North American.
Easily confused with napkin
A serviette is a small cloth used during a meal to protect clothing or wipe the mouth, while a napkin is the more general term and may also be made of paper.