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noun A2 Elementary Common

daylight

DAY-lyt

Daylight (noun) means the natural light present during the day, mostly coming from the sun. Example: “She likes to paint in natural daylight rather than under artificial lights.”

noun
1
The natural light present during the day, mostly coming from the sun.
"She likes to paint in natural daylight rather than under artificial lights."
2
The period of time between sunrise and sunset.
"They wanted to finish the hike while there was still daylight left."
3
Open exposure to public attention or scrutiny.
"The investigation finally brought the scandal into daylight."

How to use daylight

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNatural light from the sun, or the stretch of time it lasts.

Common pairings
broad daylight daylight hours daylight saving time

Word forms

daylighted past tense, daylit past tense, daylights plural, daylights singular

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Test yourself on “daylight” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She likes to paint in natural _____ rather than under artificial lights.

Etymology

A compound of "day" and "light," dating back to Middle English, with close cognates in Dutch, German, and Frisian.

Origin: Middle English

Related words

Rhymes for daylight

See all rhymes for daylight →

Frequently asked questions

What does “daylight” mean?

The word “daylight” means the natural light present during the day, mostly coming from the sun. In plain terms, natural light from the sun, or the stretch of time it lasts.

How do you pronounce “daylight”?

“Daylight” is pronounced DAY-lyt (/ˈdeɪˌlaɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “daylight” in a sentence?

Here is “daylight” used in a sentence: “She likes to paint in natural daylight rather than under artificial lights.”

What is the opposite of “daylight”?

The opposite of “daylight” — its antonyms — are night and darkness.

What part of speech is “daylight”?

“Daylight” is a noun.

Where does the word “daylight” come from?

The word “daylight” comes from Middle English. A compound of "day" and "light," dating back to Middle English, with close cognates in Dutch, German, and Frisian.

Is “daylight” a common word?

“Daylight” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “daylight” have?

“Daylight” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the natural light present during the day, mostly coming from the sun.

What is the difference between daylight and sunlight?

Daylight refers broadly to the natural light present during the day, mostly coming from the sun, and can include diffuse or indirect light on an overcast day. Sunlight more specifically refers to direct light rays from the sun itself.

What does it mean to bring something into daylight?

Bringing something into daylight means exposing it to public attention or scrutiny, often used to describe revealing information, wrongdoing, or facts that were previously hidden or kept secret.

Is daylight the same as the period between sunrise and sunset?

Yes, daylight can also refer specifically to the period of time between sunrise and sunset, distinct from its meaning as the natural light itself.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial