ENGLISH
REFERENCE

napkin

n. countable
A2 Elementary US //ˈnæpkɪn// UK //nˈæpkɪn// nap·kin Archaic

n. a piece of cloth or paper used at meals for protecting your clothes and wiping your mouth and hands.

n. a square of fabric or paper used while eating to protect clothing and clean the lips or fingers.


SIMPLE

Please use your napkin to wipe your hands.

CONTEXTUAL

The waiter placed a fresh linen napkin on the table before serving the main course.

COMPLEX

In formal dining etiquette, one should place the napkin on their lap immediately upon sitting down and leave it loosely folded on the table at the end of the meal.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English napkyn, equivalent to nape (“cloth”) + -kin.

Usage

Commonly referred to as a 'serviette' in British English, though 'napkin' is standard in North America.

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