nappy
nappy Lexical Profile
nappy Game Scores & Validity
• noun
British A piece of absorbent material wrapped around a baby's bottom and between its legs to absorb and retain urine and feces; a diaper.
"The new parents packed a spare bag with wipes, baby bottles, and clean nappies for the journey."
American A shallow open dish or bowl with a flat bottom and sloping sides, made of glass, ceramic, or earthenware.
"The antique collector found a cut-glass nappy with a scalloped rim at the estate sale."
• adjective
North American Tightly curled, coiled, or frizzy (used especially of the natural texture of Black people's hair; often considered offensive).
"The documentary explored how cultural attitudes toward natural and nappy hair textures have shifted over decades."
Having a soft, downy, or raised fibrous surface (especially of fabric or cloth).
"The tailor selected a heavy, nappy wool for the winter overcoat."
Scottish Foaming, heady, or strong (used historically or regionally of ale or beer).
"The tavern keeper poured a mug of nappy ale for the weary travelers."
Word Nuance & Usage
In British and Commonwealth English, 'nappy' is the standard everyday noun for a baby's diaper. In North American English, the adjective sense referring to tightly coiled hair (especially of Black people) carries a history of derogatory use and is widely considered offensive outside of specific in-group contexts.
• Rhymes for nappy
Word Origin & Etymology
The noun sense (attested from the 1920s) is a diminutive shortening of 'napkin', from Old French 'nape' (tablecloth), from Latin 'mappa'. The adjective sense derives from 'nap' (the raised fibers on the surface of cloth, from Middle Dutch 'noppe') combined with the suffix '-y'.