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

Historically, that sequence of early-evening moonlight was useful during the harvest, before artificial lighting made working after sunset straightforward. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2026

For several evenings around the harvest moon, the moon rises shortly after sunset, providing extra moonlight early in the evening. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Verb

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

Sansiveri has been moonlighting as a TV writer developing projects while working as CEO of One Team Partners. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 Sep. 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