moonlight

1 of 3

noun (1)

moon·​light ˈmün-ˌlīt 

: the light of the moon

moonlight

2 of 3

verb

moonlighted; moonlighting

intransitive verb

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

moonlighter noun

moonlighter

3 of 3

noun (2)

moon·​light·​er

ˈmünˌlītə(r), 

-ītə-

: one that engages in activity by or as if by the light of the moon: such as

a

: a participant in a night raid

b

: moonshiner

c

: a person holding two jobs at the same time

Examples of moonlight in a Sentence

Noun (1)

A figure appeared in the moonlight.

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Your overflow of coffee table books,backup candles, and other living room miscellany can find a home in this sideboard that can anchor your entryway or moonlight as an entertainment console. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026

Conditions are good this year, with the evening sky free of moonlight. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Verb

When her hours were first cut, Hughes moonlighted for DoorDash and got a real estate license. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Ditch your polyester workout leggings for a comfy cotton style that moonlights as a pair of pants. — Jessie Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from moonlighter

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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