nocturnal

adjective

noc·​tur·​nal näk-ˈtər-nᵊl How to pronounce nocturnal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or occurring in the night
a nocturnal journey
nocturnal activities
2
: active at night
a nocturnal predator
nocturnal insects, such as mosquitoes
nocturnally adverb

Examples of nocturnal in a Sentence

he bought a new telescope so he could pursue his favorite nocturnal hobby of astronomy
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.
As part of this nocturnal walking safari, a table is set up in the forest for cocktails and snacks as a prelude to dinner back at the lodge. Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 In Roman mythology, Luna is the goddess of the moon often associated with nocturnal magic. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 13 May 2025 Squeaking and clanking is a huge no-no for me, and thankfully there are no metal pieces to announce your comings and goings or nocturnal activities. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 12 May 2025 Innovative Nighttime Adventures for... Wildlife Watchers See Kangaroo Island’s nocturnal koalas, echidnas, and wallabies on a night safari with Australia’s Southern Ocean Lodge. Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for nocturnal

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French nocturnel, borrowed from Late Latin nocturnālis "for night use," from Latin nocturnus "of or occurring at night" (from noct-, nox night entry 1 + -urnus, temporal suffix, as in diurnus "of the day") + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at journal

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nocturnal was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Nocturnal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nocturnal. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

nocturnal

adjective
noc·​tur·​nal näk-ˈtərn-ᵊl How to pronounce nocturnal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or occurring in the night
a nocturnal journey
2
: active at night
nocturnal insects
nocturnally adverb
Etymology

from early French nocturnal, nocturnel or Latin nocturnalis, both meaning "nocturnal," derived from earlier Latin noct-, nox "night" — related to equinox

Medical Definition

nocturnal

adjective
noc·​tur·​nal näk-ˈtərn-ᵊl How to pronounce nocturnal (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or occurring at night
nocturnal myoclonus
2
: characterized by nocturnal activity
a nocturnal form of filariasis

More from Merriam-Webster on nocturnal

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