nocturnal
nok-TUR-nuhl
Nocturnal (adj) means Mainly active at night rather than during the day. Example: “Owls are nocturnal hunters that rarely appear in daylight.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- nocturnals
- Comparative
- more nocturnal
- Superlative
- most nocturnal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Owls are _____ hunters that rarely appear in daylight.
Etymology
From Latin nocturnus, derived from nox ("night"), the same root behind words like "equinox."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
diurnal
nonnocturnal
Related words
Rhymes for nocturnal
See all rhymes for nocturnal →Frequently asked questions
What does “nocturnal” mean?
The word “nocturnal” means mainly active at night rather than during the day. In plain terms, active or occurring during the night rather than the day.
How do you pronounce “nocturnal”?
“Nocturnal” is pronounced nok-TUR-nuhl (/nɑkˈtɝ.nəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “nocturnal” in a sentence?
Here is “nocturnal” used in a sentence: “Owls are nocturnal hunters that rarely appear in daylight.”
What is another word for “nocturnal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “nocturnal” include lucifugous, nightish, nightly and nighttime.
What is the opposite of “nocturnal”?
The opposite of “nocturnal” — its antonyms — are diurnal and nonnocturnal.
What part of speech is “nocturnal”?
“Nocturnal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “nocturnal” come from?
The word “nocturnal” comes from Latin. From Latin nocturnus, derived from nox ("night"), the same root behind words like "equinox.".
Is “nocturnal” a common word?
“Nocturnal” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
