nocturnal

noc·tur·nal

adj \näk-ˈtər-n^əl\

Definition of NOCTURNAL

1

: of, relating to, or occurring in the night <a nocturnal journey>

2

: active at night <a nocturnal predator>

— noc·tur·nal·ly \-n^əl-ē\ adverb

Examples of NOCTURNAL

1. <he bought a new telescope so he could pursue his favorite nocturnal hobby of astronomy>

Origin of NOCTURNAL

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French nocturnel, from Late Latin nocturnalis, from Latin nocturnus of night, nocturnal, from noct-, nox night

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to NOCTURNAL

Synonyms: night, nightly, nighttime

Antonyms: daily, diurnal

Related Words: late; midnight, overnight

Near Antonyms: noon

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Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra

Rhymes with NOCTURNAL

diurnal, eternal, external, fraternal, hibernal, infernal, internal, maternal, paternal, supernal