# napkin

/ˈnæpkɪn/ (US) · /nˈæpkɪn/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/napkin
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

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

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

## Examples

- Please use your napkin to wipe your hands.
- The waiter placed a fresh linen napkin on the table before serving the main course.
- 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.

## Usage notes

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

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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.