diaper

diaper — noun

1. a padded absorbent covering that fits around a baby's waist and between the legs

1.nounA2
Definition

a padded absorbent covering that fits around a baby's waist and between the legs, made from thick paper or washable fabric, to collect body waste until it can be removed.

Example

Wei changed the baby's diaper before putting him down for a nap.

change + [possessive] + diaper — routine care collocation

The nurse showed the new parents how to fold a cloth diaper properly.

cloth diaper — material type distinction

Common collocations
  • change a diaper
  • cloth diaper
  • disposable diaper
  • diaper rash
  • diaper bag
  • in diapers
  • diaper change
Synonyms
  • nappy

    the standard British English term for the same item

  • pull-up

    a diaper designed like underwear for toddlers who are being toilet-trained

  • napkin

    an older or formal word for a cloth diaper, rarely used today

Grammar Patterns

a(n) + diaper

diaper + noun (modifier)

Usage Note

Frequently used as a countable noun (a diaper / two diapers). In British English, the equivalent word is nappy.

Common Mistakes

Please buy a pack of diapers. I also need some diapers for my new kitten.
Please buy a pack of diapers. I also need some training pads for my new kitten.
Diapers are designed for human babies, not for pets.

2. a type of linen or cotton cloth whose surface is decorated with a repeating patt

2.nounC1
Definition

a type of linen or cotton cloth whose surface is decorated with a repeating pattern of small shapes, such as diamonds or squares, created directly by the weaving process.

Example

The antique tablecloth was made of white linen with an elegant diaper pattern.

diaper pattern — noun-noun compound for the weave design

The decorator chose a diaper-patterned white linen fabric for the dining room curtains.

diaper-patterned + [fabric type] — attributive compound adjective for the weave

Common collocations
  • diaper pattern
  • diaper cloth
  • diaper-patterned
  • linen diaper
  • cotton diaper
Synonyms
  • dimity

    a specific type of lightweight cotton fabric with a raised woven pattern, sometimes confused with diaper cloth

  • dotted-swiss

    a sheer cotton fabric with small dots, a different weave but visually related

Grammar Patterns

diaper + pattern/fabric (modifier)

made of + diaper

Usage Note

This textile sense is seldom encountered outside of historical costume, antique textiles, or museum contexts. The modern learner will almost never need it in everyday conversation.

Idioms

in diapers

idiom

at a very early stage of development; still a baby. Also used figuratively to mean very inexperienced or in the early stages of something.

Tendai first visited that museum when she was still in diapers, so she does not remember it at all.

The company's online store was still in diapers back then, with only a dozen products listed.

diaper — verb

Word family

  • diapered
    adjectiveB2
  • diapering
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Diaper is the standard American English word for the absorbent garment worn by babies. The British equivalent is nappy, which is also used in Commonwealth countries. Pull-up and training pants refer to a specific type of diaper designed like underwear for toddlers who are learning to use the toilet — they have stretchy sides and can be pulled up and down. Napkin is an older, now mostly historical term for a cloth diaper, occasionally still found in vintage or literary contexts. The word diaper itself is understood in all varieties of English, but learners communicating with British speakers should know nappy. For everyday use, diaper and nappy are the most common choices.

nappypull-upnapkin ↗training pants

Common collocations

Nouns

  • diaper rash
  • diaper bag
  • diaper pail

Phrases

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'diaper' entered English from Old French 'diapre', which referred to a richly patterned fabric. That French word came from Medieval Latin 'diasprum', and ultimately from Byzantine Greek 'diaspros' (διάσπρος), meaning 'pure white' or 'patterned in white'. Originally, 'diaper' in English referred only to the fabric with a repeating woven pattern. Because this cloth was commonly used to make babies' nappies, the word gradually shifted to mean the garment itself — the sense that is now the most common meaning.