napping

IPA/nˈapɪŋ/
KK[nˈæpɪŋ]IPA/nˈæpɪŋ/

napping — noun

1. the activity of sleeping for a brief time, usually during daytime hours

1.nounB1
Definition

the activity of sleeping for a brief time, usually during daytime hours

Example

Sayaka swears that afternoon napping makes her work better in the evening.

collocation: afternoon napping

Daily napping is part of the schedule at Jabari's nursery school.

pattern: napping as routine activity

Common collocations
  • afternoon napping
  • daily napping
  • quiet napping
  • short napping
Synonyms
  • dozing

    suggests lighter sleep, often briefly drifting off without intending to

  • snoozing

    informal; usually a planned short sleep, similar to napping

  • resting

    broader; may include lying down without actually sleeping

Grammar Patterns

go napping

afternoon napping

Usage Note

Used as the gerund form of the verb 'nap'. Often appears with time markers like 'afternoon', 'daily', or a duration. Distinguish from sense 2 — this sense names the act of sleeping, not a fabric texture.

Common Mistakes

I took a napping after lunch.
I took a nap after lunch.
for a single short sleep, use the noun 'nap'; 'napping' names the ongoing activity.

2. the soft, hairy outer layer on certain cloths like velvet, made by brushing the

2.nounC1
Definition

the soft, hairy outer layer on certain cloths like velvet, made by brushing the threads in one direction

Example

Élise admired the rich green napping on the antique velvet curtains.

collocation: napping on velvet

The napping on Romi's wool coat had worn flat at the elbows.

Common collocations
  • brushed napping
  • soft napping
  • napping on velvet
Synonyms
  • pile

    more common everyday term for the raised surface of carpets and velvet

  • nap

    the singular noun form used for the same fabric texture

Grammar Patterns

the napping on / of [fabric]

Usage Note

Mostly used in textile, sewing, or upholstery contexts. Different lemma origin from sense 1 — this comes from a Middle English word for a raised fabric surface, not from sleep.

napping — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four describe rest with closed eyes, but they differ in length, intention, and register. 'Sleep' is the broadest term and usually covers longer night-time rest. 'Nap' (and its participle 'napping') describes a short, planned daytime rest — often twenty minutes to an hour. 'Doze' suggests drifting in and out of light sleep, often without meaning to, like when you doze off on a train. 'Snooze' is informal and friendly, almost identical in meaning to 'nap', and is also the verb used for hitting the snooze button on an alarm. Compare: 'Christopher likes napping after lunch' (planned, refreshing) vs 'Christopher started dozing during the long lecture' (drifted off, not on purpose) vs 'Christopher had a quick snooze on the sofa' (casual, brief).

nap ↗doze ↗snooze ↗sleep ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • nap time
  • napping habit
  • napping schedule

Adverbs

Phrases

  • caught napping
  • found napping
  • afternoon napping

Prepositions

  • napping on
  • napping in
  • napping during

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The sleep-related word 'nap' comes from Old English 'hnappian', meaning to doze or fall lightly asleep. 'Napping' is its present participle and gerund form. The unrelated fabric word 'nap' (the soft surface of cloth) entered Middle English from Middle Dutch 'noppe', meaning a tuft of wool — a separate root that just happens to share the same spelling.