catnip

noun

cat·​nip ˈkat-ˌnip 

1

: a strong-scented perennial mint (Nepeta cataria) that has whorls of small pale flowers in terminal spikes and contains a substance attractive to cats

2

: something very attractive

Examples of catnip in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Audiard is a former Palme d’Or winner whose film is catnip for international voters. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025

The allure of New Year predictions is like catnip for business leaders. —Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024

That upside-down Statue of Liberty image is catnip to nihilists. —Armond White, National Review, 3 Jan. 2025

But the biopic genre has always been catnip to voters, and Jolie has the talent — and the patience — for working rooms. —Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

cat entry 1 + obsolete nep catnip, from Middle English, from Old English nepte, from Latin nepeta

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

catnip

noun

cat·​nip -ˌnip 

: a strong-scented herb of the mint family that is especially attractive to cats

Medical Definition

catnip

noun

cat·​nip -ˌnip 

variants also catnep

-ˌnep, -nəp 

1

: a strong-scented mint (Nepeta cataria) that has small pale flowers in terminal spikes and contains a substance attractive to cats

called also cataria, catmint

2

: cataria sense 2