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

Moths prefer pale and light-colored flowers because these blossoms reflect moonlight much better and are easier for moths to find in the dark. — Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 21 July 2026

Instead, the prolific, up-and-coming filmmaker luxuriates in dances under the moonlight, fiery rituals and glimpses of memory, conceived with an ethereal quality in collaboration with cinematographer Eily Sprungman. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 20 July 2026

Verb

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

One of my cousins is an oyster farmer, and the other, Sawyer, is a multi-hyphenate creative who moonlights as my coastal fashion advisor. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 19 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