First Known Use: 1682
Dictionary
kidnap
verb kid·nap \ˈkid-ˌnap\
: to take away (someone) by force usually in order to keep the person as a prisoner and demand money for returning the person
kid·napped also kid·naped\-ˌnapt\kid·nap·ping also kid·nap·ing
Full Definition of KIDNAP
transitive verb
: to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
— kid·nap·pee or kid·nap·ee \ˌkid-ˌna-ˈpē\ noun
— kid·nap·per also kid·nap·er noun
See kidnap defined for English-language learners
See kidnap defined for kids
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Origin of KIDNAP
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid + obsolete napper thief
Related to KIDNAP
- Synonyms
- abduct, make away with, make off with, run off with
Rhymes with KIDNAP
ASCAP, backslap, backwrap, bitmap, blackcap, bootstrap, burlap, Carnap, catnap, cell sap, claptrap, death cap, death trap, dunce cap, dognap, earflap, entrap, enwrap, firetrap, foolscap, gelcap, gift wrap, gun lap, heeltap, hubcap, ice cap, jockstrap, kneecap, lagniappe, light trap, livetrap, love tap, madcap, mantrap, mayhap, mishap, mobcap, mousetrap, mud flap, nightcap, on tap, pace lap, pinesap, rattrap, recap, redcap, remap, riprap, road map, root cap, sand trap, shiplap, shrink-wrap, skullcap, skycap, snowcap, spark gap, speed trap, steel-trap, stopgap, toe cap, unsnap, unstrap, unwrap, watch cap, whitecap, wind gap, winesap, wiretap, word wrap
KIDNAPPEE Defined for Kids
kidnap
verb kid·nap \ˈkid-ˌnap\
kid·napped \-ˌnapt\kid·nap·ping
Definition of KIDNAP for Kids
: to carry away a person by force or by fraud and against his or her will
— kid·nap·per noun
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