catnap: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “catnap” mean?
A very short, light sleep, especially taken during the day.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very short, light sleep, especially taken during the day.
A brief, often unplanned period of sleep, implying restoration or rest without deep unconsciousness. It can also refer to the act of taking such a sleep.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major semantic differences. Both use the term identically.
Connotations
Both varieties share the same connotations of brevity and lightness.
Frequency
Equally common and understood in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “catnap” in a Sentence
to have/take a catnapto catnap for (duration)to catnap on (surface)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “catnap” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I'm just going to catnap for twenty minutes before the guests arrive.
- He catnapped on the train home from London.
American English
- I need to catnap before my night shift starts.
- She catnapped on the couch while the laundry was drying.
adjective
British English
- He was in a catnap state when I called.
- The benefits of a catnap break are well documented.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used informally to describe a short rest to recharge, e.g., 'I took a power catnap before the big presentation.'
Academic
Rare; more likely in informal student conversation than formal writing.
Everyday
Very common for describing a short, casual sleep during the day.
Technical
Not used in medical/sleep science; terms like 'brief sleep episode' or 'microsleep' are preferred.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “catnap”
- Using as a verb without an object ('I catnapped' is fine, but 'I catnapped the sofa' is wrong).
- Spelling as two words: 'cat nap' is an accepted variant, but 'catnap' is standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'catnap' (closed) and 'cat nap' (open) are accepted, but the closed form is more common in modern dictionaries.
Yes, it can be used intransitively (e.g., 'I catnapped for an hour').
A 'catnap' is specifically a very short and light nap, often implying it was taken opportunistically. A 'nap' can be longer.
They are very similar. A 'power nap' is a catnap taken intentionally for restoration, often with a set, short duration (e.g., 20 mins). 'Catnap' is a more general term.
A very short, light sleep, especially taken during the day.
Catnap is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Catnap: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkatnap/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkætˌnæp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “catch/cop a catnap”
- “sneak a catnap”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CAT taking a NAP. Cats are famous for short, frequent sleeps.
Conceptual Metaphor
SLEEP IS A COMMODITY (to steal/take/sneak a catnap).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of a 'catnap'?