adj
nocturnal
nok-TUR-nuhl
adj
1
Mainly active at night rather than during the day.
"Owls are nocturnal hunters that rarely appear in daylight."
"Bats are famously nocturnal creatures."
2
Happening at night.
"The city's nocturnal traffic noise kept her awake."
How to Use Nocturnal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishActive or occurring during the night rather than the day.
Common pairings
nocturnal animal
nocturnal habits
Word Forms
more nocturnal comparative, nocturnals plural, most nocturnal superlative
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Owls are _____ hunters that rarely appear in daylight.
Etymology
From Latin nocturnus, derived from nox ("night"), the same root behind words like "equinox."