moonlight

1 of 2

noun

moon·​light ˈmün-ˌlīt 

: the light of the moon

moonlight

2 of 2

verb

moonlighted; moonlighting

intransitive verb

: to hold a second job in addition to a regular one

moonlighter noun

Examples of moonlight in a Sentence

Noun

A figure appeared in the moonlight.

Verb

She is a secretary who moonlights as a waitress on weekends.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Cumberland Falls is one of only two places in the world that regularly produces moonbows — a night-time rainbow created by moonlight refracting through water droplets. —Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Sep. 2025

At Gramps Getaway on Key Biscayne, management added nine fans this year and the staff is under marching orders to keep water glasses full at the popular outdoor bar, even as moonlight takes over. —Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025

Verb

Carpenter’s pivot from moonlighting in wan folk-pop and trop-house bops to topping international charts is due in part to a steamier approach conveniently timed to her signing to Island Records in 2021. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025

What appears even more impressive about the pic, which follows a group of K-Pop superstars who moonlight as demon hunters, is the audience decline figures, or lack of. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from moonlighter

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1957, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing moonlight

• do a moonlight flit

Rhymes for moonlight

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

moonlight

1 of 2 noun

moon·​light -ˌlīt 

: the light of the moon

moonlight

2 of 2 verb

: to work at a second job in addition to a regular one

moonlighter noun