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

Residents of Southern California who see a mysterious streak in the nocturnal sky can chalk it up to another SpaceX launch.

From Los Angeles Times

There are other people, straggling revelers, giddy still with the war’s end, and clogging up the streets with their unfamiliar nocturnal activities.

From Literature

Symptoms of nocturnal seizures can include signs of sudden awakening with confusion, thrashing, violent movements, screaming, or waking up on the floor.

From BBC

Organisers said the chances of seeing the nocturnal animals during the day would be slim but added the tours would offer a first hand look at the animals' damming and digging skills.

From BBC

For much of it the spectacle was the substance: the crudeness, the nocturnal tweeting, the sheer stylistic novelty.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• nightly
• nighttime