adverb
Common
nights
nyts
Nights (adverb) means during the night, especially on a regular or recurring basis. Example: “She drives a taxi nights so she can spend the days with her children.”
adverb
1
During the night, especially on a regular or recurring basis.
"She drives a taxi nights so she can spend the days with her children."
"My brother works nights in a bakery and sleeps through the morning."
"He works nights at the hospital."
"I work nights, my brother only afternoons, and my son days."
How to use nights
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRegularly at night, especially describing work shifts.
Common pairings
work nights
nights and weekends
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She drives a taxi _____ so she can spend the days with her children.
Etymology
From Old English nihtes, an old adverbial form of "night" meaning "by night."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for nights
See all rhymes for nights →Frequently asked questions
What does “nights” mean?
The word “nights” means during the night, especially on a regular or recurring basis. In plain terms, regularly at night, especially describing work shifts.
How do you pronounce “nights”?
“Nights” is pronounced nyts (/naɪts/ in IPA).
How do you use “nights” in a sentence?
Here is “nights” used in a sentence: “He works nights at the hospital.”
What part of speech is “nights”?
“Nights” is an adverb.
Where does the word “nights” come from?
The word “nights” comes from Old English. From Old English nihtes, an old adverbial form of "night" meaning "by night.".
Is “nights” a common word?
“Nights” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does it mean to 'work nights'?
It means working during the night on a regular basis, rather than on a single occasion. Someone who works nights does their shifts after dark — for example from evening until morning — as their usual pattern. The "-s" ending signals a repeated, habitual arrangement, not a one-off.
What is the difference between 'nights' and 'at night'?
"At night" simply says when something happens and can be a single instance. "Nights" as an adverb implies a habit or routine — "she reads nights" suggests she does so regularly. The plural-looking form carries the sense of something recurring rather than a one-time event.
Is 'nights' really an adverb?
Yes. Although it looks like a plural noun, in phrases like "he works nights" it functions as an adverb of time, describing when the action happens. This is an old English pattern called the adverbial genitive, the same one behind words such as "always" and "sideways."
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