moonlight
MOON-lyt
Moonlight (noun) means the light given off by the moon. Example: “They walked along the shore by moonlight.”
noun
1
The light given off by the moon.
"They walked along the shore by moonlight."
"The lake looked silver in the moonlight."
"Bright moonlight came through the curtains and lit up the whole bedroom."
verb
1
To work a second job, often at night, in addition to one's main job.
"She moonlights as a bartender to help pay off her student loans."
"He teaches during the day and moonlights as a taxi driver at weekends."
"Many nurses moonlight at other clinics to earn a little extra money."
How to use moonlight
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLight from the moon, or (as a verb) working a second job on the side.
Common mistake
The verb "moonlight" refers to a second job, not literally working under the moon — you can moonlight during the day too.
Common pairings
bathed in moonlight
moonlight as a
moonlight walk
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like moonlight.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- moonlights
- Third person singular
- moonlights
- Past tense
- moonlighted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They walked along the shore by _____.
Etymology
From Middle English monelight, a compound of moon and light; the verb sense developed later, from the image of doing extra work after dark once the main job was done.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “moonlight” mean?
The word “moonlight” means the light given off by the moon. In plain terms, light from the moon, or (as a verb) working a second job on the side.
How do you pronounce “moonlight”?
“Moonlight” is pronounced MOON-lyt (/ˈmunˌlaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “moonlight” in a sentence?
Here is “moonlight” used in a sentence: “They walked along the shore by moonlight.”
What part of speech is “moonlight”?
Depending on how it is used, “moonlight” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “moonlight” come from?
The word “moonlight” comes from Middle English. From Middle English monelight, a compound of moon and light; the verb sense developed later, from the image of doing extra work after dark once the main job was done.
Is “moonlight” a common word?
“Moonlight” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “moonlight” have?
“Moonlight” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the light given off by the moon.
What is the difference between moonlight the noun and moonlight the verb?
As a noun, moonlight refers to the light given off by the moon, while as a verb, to moonlight means to work a second job, often at night, in addition to one's main job. The two meanings are unrelated beyond sharing the same word.
Is moonlighting legal and common in employment?
Moonlighting, or working a second job outside one's primary employment, is generally legal, though some employers restrict it through contracts if it conflicts with the main job's duties or hours. It is common among people supplementing their income.
Why is working a second job called moonlighting?
The verb likely draws on the idea of working under moonlight, that is, at night after finishing a regular daytime job, which is when many second jobs traditionally took place. This gives the term its evocative, nighttime connotation.
