noun
nighthawk
NUH-iht-hawk
Nighthawk (noun) means a North American nightjar bird, active at dusk and known for its distinctive booming courtship dive. Example: “We heard a nighthawk calling as the sun went down.”
noun
1
A North American nightjar bird, active at dusk and known for its distinctive booming courtship dive.
"We heard a nighthawk calling as the sun went down."
2
A person who tends to stay up and be active late at night.
"He's a real nighthawk, most productive after midnight."
How to use nighthawk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a dusk-flying bird or a person who's naturally more active at night.
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Word forms
- Plural
- nighthawks
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We heard a _____ calling as the sun went down.
Etymology
From night + hawk, describing a bird active at night that resembles a hawk in flight though it is unrelated to true hawks.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “nighthawk” mean?
The word “nighthawk” means a North American nightjar bird, active at dusk and known for its distinctive booming courtship dive. In plain terms, either a dusk-flying bird or a person who's naturally more active at night.
How do you pronounce “nighthawk”?
“Nighthawk” is pronounced NUH-iht-hawk (/ˈnaɪthɑk/ in IPA).
How do you use “nighthawk” in a sentence?
Here is “nighthawk” used in a sentence: “We heard a nighthawk calling as the sun went down.”
What part of speech is “nighthawk”?
“Nighthawk” is a noun.
How many meanings does “nighthawk” have?
“Nighthawk” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a North American nightjar bird, active at dusk and known for its distinctive booming courtship dive.
