# diaper

/ˈdaɪpɝ/ (US) · /dˈaɪpɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/diaper
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. absorbent garment

noun · CEFR A2 · American English

a soft piece of material worn by a baby or an adult to catch waste from the body.

For teachers: an absorbent garment worn by infants or incontinent adults to retain excreta. Primarily American English; equivalent to the British 'nappy'.

- He changed the baby's diaper and put her down for a nap.
- The nurse ensured that the elderly patient was provided with high-absorbency diapers to maintain skin integrity and comfort throughout the night.

### 2. decorative pattern

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a repeating pattern of small shapes, like diamonds, used to decorate a wall or fabric.

For teachers: a repeating geometric or stylised floral pattern, typically consisting of small diamonds, used in textiles, masonry, or heraldry.

- The old church walls were decorated with a beautiful stone diaper pattern.
- The architect specified a diaperwork design for the brick facade to create visual interest through alternating textures and shadows.

## Examples

- The baby needs a clean diaper.
- Parents usually carry a bag filled with spare diapers and wet wipes whenever they leave the house with an infant.
- Modern disposable diapers utilize super-absorbent polymers to lock away moisture, significantly reducing the incidence of skin irritation compared to traditional cloth versions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.