catnap

/ˌkætˈnæp/

Other forms: catnaps; catnapping; catnapped

A catnap is a brief rest. If you need a break from studying for the big test tomorrow, you might take a quick catnap on the couch.

Cats are famous sleepers, so it's not surprising that catnap was coined at some point during the 1800s. It describes a snooze that's fairly short and definitely doesn't involve climbing under the covers. You can take a catnap almost anywhere: on the bus, in front of the woodstove, or curled up in a comfortable chair like a cat! Use the word as a verb too: "I think I'll catnap for five minutes, right here in the library."

Definitions of catnap

1. noun

   sleeping for a short period of time (usually not in bed)
   synonyms: cat sleep, forty winks, nap, short sleep, snooze

   types:

   siesta

   a nap in the early afternoon (especially in hot countries)

   zizz

   a nap

   type of:

   sleeping

   the suspension of consciousness and decrease in metabolic rate
2. verb

   take a siesta
   synonyms: catch a wink, nap

   types:

   doze, drowse, snooze

   sleep lightly or for a short period of time

   type of:

   catch some Z's, kip, log Z's, sleep, slumber

   be asleep