nocturnal

American  

[nok-tur-nl] / nɒkˈtɜr nl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the night (diurnal ).

2. done, occurring, or coming at night.

   nocturnal visit.

   Synonyms:

   nighttime

3. active at night (diurnal ).

   nocturnal animals.

4. opening by night and closing by day, as certain flowers (diurnal ).

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noun

1. Archaic.  an astrolabe for telling time at night or for determining latitude by the position of certain stars in reference to Polaris.

nocturnal British  

/ nɒkˈtɜːnəl /

adjective

1. of, used during, occurring in, or relating to the night

2. (of animals) active at night

3. (of plants) having flowers that open at night and close by day

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nocturnal Scientific  

/ nŏk-tûr′nəl /

1. Occurring at night.

2. Most active at night. Many animals, such as owls and bats, are nocturnal.

3. Having flowers that open during the night and close at daylight. Nocturnal plants are often pollinated by moths.

4. Compare diurnal

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Other Word Forms

• nocturnality noun
• nocturnally adverb
• nonnocturnal adjective
• nonnocturnally adverb
• seminocturnal adjective
• unnocturnal adjective
• unnocturnally adverb

Etymology

Origin of nocturnal

From the Late Latin word nocturnālis, dating back to 1475–85. See nocturn, -al ¹

Example Sentences

When dinosaurs reigned, the small creatures evolving into mammals survived by becoming nocturnal, keeping out of sight.

From The Wall Street Journal

Understanding its behavior and ecology is now vital for developing conservation and management strategies that can help protect one of Europe's most extraordinary nocturnal predators.

From Science Daily

These biologging devices tracked their every move and captured the sounds around them, offering a detailed view of their nocturnal behavior.

From Science Daily

A new study published in the British Ecological Society's journal People & Nature has found that these historic buildings are providing vital homes for the nocturnal animals.

From BBC

This enormous nocturnal rodent, one of the largest in the world, lives high in the cool, mist-covered forests and grasslands around 3,700 meters above sea level.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• nightly
• nighttime