night

[ nahyt ]

noun

1. the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
2. the beginning of this period; nightfall.
3. the darkness of night; the dark.
4. a condition or time of obscurity, ignorance, sinfulness, misfortune, etc.:

   the long night of European history known as the Dark Ages.

5. (sometimes initial capital letter) an evening used or set aside for a particular event, celebration, or other special purpose:

   a night on the town; poker night; New Year's Night.

adjective

1. of or relating to night:

   the night hours.

2. occurring, appearing, or seen at night:

   a night raid; a night bloomer.

3. used or designed to be used at night:

   to take a night coach; the night entrance.

4. working at night:

   night nurse; the night shift.

5. active at night:

   the night feeders of the jungle.

night

/ naɪt /

noun

1. the period of darkness each 24 hours between sunset and sunrise, as distinct from day
2. modifier of, occurring, working, etc, at night

   a night nurse

3. the occurrence of this period considered as a unit

   four nights later they left

4. the period between sunset and retiring to bed; evening
5. the time between bedtime and morning

   she spent the night alone

6. the weather conditions of the night

   a clear night

7. the activity or experience of a person during a night
8. sometimes capital any evening designated for a special observance or function
9. nightfall or dusk
10. a state or period of gloom, ignorance, etc
11. make a night of it
    to go out and celebrate for most of the night
12. night and day
    continually

    that baby cries night and day

Derived Forms

• ˈnightˌlike, adjective
• ˈnightless, adjective

Other Words From

• nightless adjective
• nightless·ly adverb
• nightlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of night¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English niht, neaht; cognate with German Nacht, Gothic nahts, Latin nox (stem noct- ), Greek nýx (stem nykt- )

Word History and Origins

Origin of night¹

Old English niht; compare Dutch nacht, Latin nox, Greek nux

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. night and day, Also day and night.
   1. unceasingly; continually:

      She worked night and day until the job was done.

   2. a complete difference; completely different:

      The improvement in her grades after tutoring was like night and day.

More idioms and phrases containing night

• black as night
• call it a day (night)
• dead of (night)
• different as night and day
• good night
• make a day (night) of it
• ships that pass in the night

Example Sentences

I say "not great," meaning I just did a big disconnect that Tuesday night.

From Salon

Most of it is blurry or of poor quality, but it clearly shows six flashes against the night sky, each comprised of a cluster of six individual projectiles.

From BBC

The schedule change gives the Chargers their only Thursday night game of the season, providing the team a 10-day prep week entering a Week 17 road game at New England.

From Los Angeles Times

On the night of the murder, he noted a lack of phone calls between the five men for 43 minutes, in which time Mr Ogle was attacked.

From BBC

"From last Friday till last night, I have been smuggling people," Shamo said in one conversation.

From BBC

Related Words

• midnight

More About Night

What is a basic definition of night?

Night refers to the time of day between sunset and sunrise. The word night can also refer to the darkness that accompanies this period or an evening reserved for a certain event. Night can also be used as an adjective to describe something that happens at night. Night has a few other senses as a noun and an adjective.

Generally speaking, night doesn’t begin or end at any specific times. We usually consider it to be night when the sun has set completely and all sunlight is gone. Night ends when the sun rises and illuminates the sky again.

• Real-life examples: In the northern hemisphere, nights are longer during the winter and shorter during the summer. Most people go to sleep at night.
• Used in a sentence: The kids aren’t allowed outside at night because it’s too dark to see well.

Night also refers to the darkness that falls after the sun sets.

• Used in a sentence: To gaze at the stars, you need to let your eyes adjust to the night.

Night can also refer to an evening where some specific event happens or has significance.

• Real-life examples: Children go trick-or-treating on Halloween Night. A TV show might be aired every Friday night. A couple may decide to schedule a date night.
• Used in a sentence: My mom makes us go to bed early on school nights.

Night is also used to describe something that is related to night or happens during the night.

• Real-life examples: Crimes often happen during the night hours. Some people work night jobs or have night shifts at work. You can see the stars in the night sky. A person who works late might have to take the night bus home.
• Used in a sentence: I have been taking night classes because my job keeps me busy during the day.

Where does night come from?

The first records of night come from before the 900s. It comes from the Old English niht and is related to other words for night, such as the Latin nox and the Greek nýx.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to night?

• nightless (adjective)
• nightlessly (adverb)
• nightlike (adjective)

What are some synonyms for night?

• evening
• nightfall
• nighttime
• darkness
• blackness

What are some words that share a root or word element with night? 

• nightly
• nightmare
• nightlife
• nightclub
• night-light
• night and day

What are some words that often get used in discussing night?

• sunset
• dark
• late
• nocturnal
• sleep
• scary

What are some words night may be commonly confused with?

• knight

How is night used in real life?

Night is a very common word that refers to the time after the sun has set.

Last night, I watched the fight between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. Mike has always been one of my favorite fighters and I’m glad both he and Roy didn’t get hurt!

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 30, 2020

I never understood how the little drummer boy’s parents could just send him outside alone at night to play his drum until my daughter brought a recorder home from school.

— Simon Holland (@simoncholland) December 8, 2020

I cringe inside whenever I hear somebody say they consistently work the night shift.

— Zaid K. Dahhaj (@zaiderrr) December 1, 2020

Try using night!

True or False?

If the sun is in the sky, the night hasn’t started yet.