daylight
DAY-lyt
Daylight (noun) means the natural light present during the day, mostly coming from the sun. Example: “Daylight streamed through the big windows and warmed the kitchen floor.”
noun
1
The natural light present during the day, mostly coming from the sun.
"Daylight streamed through the big windows and warmed the kitchen floor."
"Plants on the shelf need plenty of daylight to grow well."
"She likes to paint in natural daylight rather than under artificial lights."
2
The period of time between sunrise and sunset.
"In midwinter we get very little daylight, so I cycle to work in the dark."
"The shop is only open during daylight, so arrive before it gets dark."
"They wanted to finish the hike while there was still daylight left."
3
Open exposure to public attention or scrutiny.
"Secret deals rarely survive once they are dragged into the daylight."
"The reporter hoped her article would bring the hidden problems into daylight."
"The investigation finally brought the scandal into daylight."
How to use daylight
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNatural light from the sun, or the stretch of time it lasts.
Common pairings
broad daylight
daylight hours
daylight saving time
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Word forms
- Plural
- daylights
- Third person singular
- daylights
- Past tense
- daylighted, daylit
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ streamed through the big windows and warmed the kitchen floor.
Etymology
A compound of "day" and "light," dating back to Middle English, with close cognates in Dutch, German, and Frisian.
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.
