Definition

1. Noun:

   • A very short, light period of sleep, often taken during the day while sitting or reclining but not necessarily in a bed.

2. Verb:

   • To sleep lightly and briefly, especially during the daytime.

Usage

• As a Noun: Used to describe the short sleep itself.
• As a Verb: Used to describe the action of taking a brief sleep. It is an intransitive verb (does not take a direct object).

Examples

• Noun:

  • I felt refreshed after a quick catnap in the armchair.
  • He managed to sneak in a catnap during his afternoon break.

• Verb:

  • She decided to catnap on the sofa for twenty minutes before dinner.
  • If you're feeling tired, you should catnap instead of drinking more coffee.

Advanced Usage

• "to have/take a catnap": This is the most common collocation when using the word as a noun.
  • The pilot took a catnap in the cockpit during the long layover.
• The verb form is less common than the noun form and often implies an informal, unplanned short sleep.

Variants and Related Words

• Nap (noun/verb): A more general and common term for a short sleep. A "catnap" is typically even shorter and lighter than a "nap."
• Siesta (noun): A longer, scheduled afternoon rest or nap, often associated with certain cultures.
• Snooze (noun/verb, informal): A short, light sleep.
• Forty winks (noun phrase, informal): A humorous idiom for a short nap.

Synonyms

• Noun: Nap, snooze, doze, rest, forty winks.
• Verb: Nap, snooze, doze, rest, drowse.

Related Phrases

• Power nap: A very short nap (often 10-20 minutes) intended to quickly restore alertness.
  • A 15-minute power nap can boost your productivity for the rest of the day.
• Catch some Z's (idiom, informal): To get some sleep.
  • I'm going to catch some Z's before the party tonight.

Noun

1. sleeping for a short period of time (usually not in bed)

Verb

1. take a siesta
   • She naps everyday after lunch for an hour