Word
catnip
Phoneticscat·nip, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkætnɪp/
UK/kˈætnɪp/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. a plant that cats love to smell and play with because it makes them feel excited. In a general sense, it describes something that is very attractive or exciting to a specific group of people.
n. a perennial herb of the mint family that produces a scent highly attractive to most cats. Figuratively, it refers to something that possesses an irresistible or intense appeal to a particular audience.
Examples
“The new video game is catnip for teenagers.”
“The politician's speech about tax cuts was catnip for the local business owners.”
“While the technical details might bore a general audience, the intricate data visualizations were absolute catnip for the group of visiting statisticians.”
Examples
simple
“The new video game is catnip for teenagers.”
contextual
“The politician's speech about tax cuts was catnip for the local business owners.”
complex
“While the technical details might bore a general audience, the intricate data visualizations were absolute catnip for the group of visiting statisticians.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “catnip” in context.
Verb
01. catnip attracts
“This kind of controversy is catnip that attracts constant media attention.”
noun + verb
02. offer catnip
“The streaming service offers catnip to fans of true crime documentaries.”
verb + noun
03. provide catnip
“The new gadget will provide catnip for tech enthusiasts everywhere.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. irresistible catnip
“The scandal was irresistible catnip for the tabloid press.”
adj + noun
05. political catnip
“Tax cuts are often seen as political catnip during an election year.”
adj + noun
06. pure catnip
“A story about a royal wedding is pure catnip to the general public.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. catnip for
“The director's new film is absolute catnip for critics.”
noun + prep
08. catnip to
“Low interest rates are catnip to potential homebuyers.”
noun + prep
09. be catnip to the media
“The celebrity's public meltdown was catnip to the media.”
10. prove to be catnip
“The leaked documents proved to be catnip for investigative journalists.”
Usage
Used literally for the plant and figuratively for things with strong appeal; the figurative sense is often used with 'for'.
Real-World Examples
“Ever since its publication, Henry James’s The Turn of the Screw, about a governess attempting to protect two young children from evil ghosts in an isolated country house, has terrified and shocked readers and, in recent decades, it has proved catnip to screenwriters.” “As a platform, it feels like catnip for over-sharers, especially those who want both attention and anonymity which is impossible on mainstream social networking sites.” “The lure of such unspoiled terrain is catnip to intrepid vacationers and seasoned outdoorsmen alike.” “The amour fou and lavish lifestyles of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton made them catnip for the public.” Etymology
The term is a compound of cat and nep, an earlier form for the plant. The latter descends from Middle English nep and Old English nepte, which trace back to the Proto-West Germanic *nepetā. The ultimate source is the Latin nepeta.
It follows the pattern of the earlier catmint, from Middle English catt mynte. The construction likely existed in Old English as *cattes minte, though the nep variant eventually secured the preference of the English speaker and, presumably, the cat.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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