Nap vs. Siesta — What's the Difference?

A nap is a short period of sleep, typically taken during daytime hours as an adjunct to the usual nocturnal sleep period. Naps are most often taken as a response to drowsiness during waking hours.

A siesta (from Spanish, pronounced [ˈsjesta] and meaning "nap") is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some countries, particularly those where the weather is warm.

A brief sleep, often during the day.

An afternoon rest or nap, especially one taken during the hottest hours of the day in a hot climate

A soft or fuzzy surface on fabric or leather.

A rest or nap, especially one taken after the midday meal.

A trick-taking card game in which the players are each dealt five cards and everyone bids the number of tricks they intend to take, with the highest bidder deciding the trump.

A nap, especially an afternoon one taken after lunch in some cultures.

The first bid of five tricks in this game, the maximum number in a hand. Also called napoleon.

(intransitive) to take a siesta; to nap.

See napoleon1.

A short sleep taken about the middle of the day, or after dinner; a midday nap.

To sleep for a brief period, often during the day; doze.

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

To be unaware of imminent danger or trouble; be off guard

To form or raise a soft or fuzzy surface on (fabric or leather).

To pour or put a sauce or gravy over (a cooked dish) in a thin, even layer

A short period of sleep, especially one during the day.

A soft or fuzzy surface, generally on fabric or leather.

The common direction, on some kinds of fabric, of the hairs making up the pile.

(British) A type of bet in British horse racing, based on the experts' best tips.

A card game in which players take tricks; properly Napoleon.

A bid to take five tricks in the card game Napoleon.

A cup, bowl.

To have a nap; to sleep for a short period of time, especially during the day.

(figuratively) To be off one's guard.

To form or raise a soft or fuzzy surface on (fabric or leather).

(obsolete) To grab; to nab.

(cooking) To cover (something) with a sauce. usually in the passive

To have a short sleep; to be drowsy; to doze.

To be in a careless, secure state; to be unprepared; as, to be caught napping.

To raise, or put, a nap on.

A short sleep; a doze; a siesta.

Woolly or villous surface of felt, cloth, plants, etc.; an external covering of down, of short fine hairs or fibers forming part of the substance of anything, and lying smoothly in one direction; the pile; as, the nap of cotton flannel or of broadcloth.

The loops which are cut to make the pile, in velvet.

Same as Napoleon, 1, below.

A period of time spent sleeping;

A soft or fuzzy surface texture

The yarn (as in a rug or velvet or corduroy) that stands up from the weave;

A short sleep (usually not in bed)

A card game similar to whist; usually played for stakes

Take a siesta;