catnip
noun
cat·nip
| \ ˈkat-ˌnip
\
\
Definition of catnip
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
The Amazon fires are catnip for proponents of radical action on the climate. — Rich Lowry, National Review, "The Amazon Scam," 30 Aug. 2019 Where to watch: Netflix (season 1), on demand, YouTube Diagnosis This seven-episode docuseries is catnip for folks who love medical mysteries. — Wired, "8 Movies and TV Shows You Need to Stream This Weekend," 30 Aug. 2019 His pledge to threaten Brussels with walking away without a deal and withhold the nearly $50 billion the UK owes Europe, unless Europe agrees to renegotiate May's deal, is catnip to a certain type of Conservative. — Luke Mcgee, CNN, "Boris Johnson, the divisive Brexit-backing populist or the charming liberal metropolitan? UK has no idea which leader it'll get," 13 July 2019 With the plot focused on a movie theater and Drea’s background as a performer with Broadway dreams, the book will be catnip for any movie or musical theatre lover, with references abounding to plenty of beloved films and stage shows. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, "Hot Stuff: July romances offer 'knotty' self-discovery," 30 July 2019 Since then the role has become like catnip for aspiring pre-teen actresses, including my daughter. — Tom Titus, Daily Pilot, "On Theater: ‘Bad Seed’ still a good chiller," 16 July 2019 Whereas Johnson is catnip for Westminster journalists — always ready to offer a colorful quote, or a picture of him stuck halfway down a zip line — Jeremy Hunt offers much less in terms of showbiz appeal. — Alexander Smith, NBC News, "Boris Johnson's to lose: Race for next U.K. leader nears the endgame," 18 June 2019 The Secret Life of Pets 2’ Pup pals Max (voiced by Patton Oswalt) and Duke (Eric Stonestreet), heroic rabbit Snowball (Kevin Hart), catnip-addicted kitty Chloe (Lake Bell) and all their friends return in the animated sequel. — Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, "Fourth of July movie guide: The 11 biggest films to keep you entertained after the fireworks," 26 June 2019 Specifically, a celebrity turned political demagogue, Vivienne Rook (a brilliant Emma Thompson), propels herself to national prominence by saying outlandish things -- the kind of erratic, provocative behavior that's catnip for the media. — Brian Lowry, CNN, "'Years and Years' charts chaotic future through one family," 24 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'catnip.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for catnip
catnip
noun
English Language Learners Definition of catnip
: a type of mint that has a strong smell which is attractive to cats
See the full definition for catnip in the English Language Learners Dictionary
catnip
noun
cat·nip
| \ ˈkat-ˌnip
\
\
Kids Definition of catnip
: a plant that is a mint with a smell especially attractive to cats
catnip
noun
cat·nip
| \ -ËŒnip
\
\
variants:
also catnep \ -ˌnep, -nəp
\
\
Medical Definition of catnip
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
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