nocturnal
adjective
noc·tur·nal
näk-ˈtər-nᵊl 
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
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
An eelpout is not a Minnesota expression of surprise but a nocturnal, eel-like creature, often the quarry of ice-fishers.
—
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Armadillos are nocturnal but occasionally move around during the day.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
Decades before his lens moved between nocturnal vagabonds in the East Village and names such as Diana Vreeland, William Burroughs, and Fran Lebowitz, the young man realized the power of his eye.
—Osman Can Yerebakan, Air Mail, 2 May 2026
The Maryland rapper continues to carve out a niche for himself in hushed ambient rap over a choice selection of psychedelic, nocturnal beats.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nocturnal
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Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Armadillos are nocturnal but occasionally move around during the day.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 May 2026
Decades before his lens moved between nocturnal vagabonds in the East Village and names such as Diana Vreeland, William Burroughs, and Fran Lebowitz, the young man realized the power of his eye.
—Osman Can Yerebakan, Air Mail, 2 May 2026
The Maryland rapper continues to carve out a niche for himself in hushed ambient rap over a choice selection of psychedelic, nocturnal beats.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nocturnal
Cite this Entry
“Nocturnal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nocturnal. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nocturnal
adjective
noc·tur·nal
näk-ˈtərn-ᵊl
1
: of, relating to, or occurring in the night
a nocturnal journey
2
: active at night
nocturnal insects
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
1
: of, relating to, or occurring at night
nocturnal myoclonus
2
: characterized by nocturnal activity
a nocturnal form of filariasis
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