nappy

Everyday

(UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ) A thick soft pad of cloth or paper worn by babies around their bottom to catch their wee and poo. tree →

In the lessons

In family life and caring for babies: «change a nappy», «a wet nappy», «nappy rash». In science and environment lessons: disposable nappies make a lot of rubbish, so some families use washable cloth ones. In the USA and Canada people say «diaper».

Examples

• Mum is changing the baby's nappy. tree →
• My little brother still wears a nappy at night. tree →
• Put the dirty nappy in the bin. tree →
• The baby has nappy rash, so we use cream. tree →
• Cloth nappies can be washed and used again. tree →
• We packed nappies and wipes for the trip. tree →

Note

Plural «nappies» (y → ies). British word; American and Canadian English say «diaper». Old meaning: in some American speech «nappy» is a word about curly hair and can be rude, so be careful.