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

Artificial nighttime illumination can alter the behavior of migratory birds, insects and other nocturnal species that rely on moonlight and starlight to navigate, feed and reproduce, the coalition says. — Jean Lee, NBC news, 6 Aug. 2026

This is ideal for meteor showers due to the lack of moonlight, which can wash out an otherwise good show. — Terry Eliasen, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Verb

Rodrygo — still recovering after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee six months ago — Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler have all moonlighted on the right wing. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Since the release of Obsession in May, the 25-year-old has gone from an unknown actor moonlighting as a Twitch streamer to a rising Hollywood star. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 21 July 2026

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