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)

, moon·light·ed, moon·light·ing.

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 Words From

• moonlighter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of moonlight¹

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

Example Sentences

How did I not know that George “The Boss” Steinbrenner, the late Yankees owner, moonlighted for the New York State Liquor Authority?

From Los Angeles Times

When the family moved to California in 1962, Jan took a job as a janitor, and moonlighted as a freelance jazz musician with some fellow Dutch players.

From Los Angeles Times

And if the weather or the moonlight hamper your view?

From BBC

Suddenly, he grabbed my hand, and we were dancing under the moonlight while the trees twinkled with floating bulbs and antique street lamps lit up as if on cue.

From Los Angeles Times

I suppose I could have avoided those moonlight bathroom trips with a sleeping pill, but that would have only masked the bigger problem: I wanted to quit drinking and couldn’t.

From Los Angeles Times