moonlight

[ moon-lahyt ]

noun

1. the light of the moon.

adjective

1. pertaining to moonlight.
2. illuminated by moonlight.
3. occurring by moonlight, or at night.

verb (used without object)

moonlighted, moonlighting.

1. to work at an additional job after one's regular, full-time employment, as at night.

moonlight

/ ˈmuːnˌlaɪt /

noun

1. Also calledmoonshine light from the sun received on earth after reflection by the moon
2. modifier illuminated by the moon

   a moonlight walk

3. short for moonlight flit

verb

1. informal.
   intr to work at a secondary job, esp at night, and often illegitimately

Derived Forms

• ˈmoonˌlighter, noun

Other Word Forms

• moonlighter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of moonlight¹

1325–75; 1950–55 moonlight fordef 5; Middle English monelight

Example Sentences

White light with that cool, bright white appearance, like intense moonlight, actually contains a higher proportion of short-wavelengths, the blue and green part of the visible spectrum.

From Salon

His photograph showing people seemingly being guided by moonlight over the summit of Yr Wyddfa, or Snowdon, has been attracting mountains of praise on social media.

From BBC

The shells serve a dual purpose — one that is functional, as they decompose to improve the soil quality, and another formal, reflecting moonlight in the evening.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite being shy and inhibited, he began “moonlighting” in the drama department, where, he later wrote, he found himself “fast losing my heart to drama.”

From Los Angeles Times

Philharmonic to moonlight as a drummer at the Dresden Room.

From Los Angeles Times