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

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

Back in the ’90s, one year after making her film debut in Cadillac Man, Petty skyrocketed to fame after starring alongside Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze in the action film about surfers who moonlight as bank robbers. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Aug. 2026

Down day for Xavier Holmes, an undrafted rookie who had moonlighted with the starting defense; likely due to depth problems. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 1 Aug. 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