moonlight

1 of 2

noun

moon·​light ˈmün-ˌlīt How to pronounce moonlight (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
If possible, block the moonlight with a tree or other natural barrier to increase visibility. Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025 Despite bright moonlight from October's full Supermoon, recent comet brightness estimates at the Comet Observation Database (COBS) indicate that Lemmon has been a relatively easy object to sight with good binoculars. Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
Since Oliver’s injury, one-technique DaQuan Jones has had to moonlight at three-technique in each game, as the Bills have tried to get by. Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025 Tucker Carlson, the one-time cable news king now moonlighting as a dissident podcaster, has evinced an unhealthy obsession with the Jewish people and the state of Israel. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for moonlight

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of moonlight was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Moonlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moonlight. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

moonlight

1 of 2 noun
moon·​light -ˌlīt How to pronounce moonlight (audio)
: the light of the moon

moonlight

2 of 2 verb
: to work at a second job in addition to a regular one
moonlighter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on moonlight

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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