midnoon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowPoetic, Archaic, Rare
Quick answer
What does “midnoon” mean?
The middle of the day.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The middle of the day; the point around 12 o'clock at noon.
Rarely, can refer to the period or moment when the sun is at its highest point in the sky; the central part of the daytime.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No discernible difference in usage between British and American English, as the word is exceptionally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Poetic, literary, or deliberately archaic connotation in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both dialects; more likely to be found in historical texts or poetic works than in contemporary usage.
Grammar
How to Use “midnoon” in a Sentence
It is [midnoon].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “midnoon” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- the midnoon sun
American English
- a midnoon appointment
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rarely, in historical or literary analysis.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “midnoon”
- Using it in modern, non-literary writing.
- Spelling it as 'mid-noon' with a hyphen.
- Confusing it with 'afternoon'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic and very rare synonym for 'noon' or 'midday'.
No. In almost all modern contexts, 'noon' or 'midday' is the correct and natural choice.
'Midnoon' refers to the middle of the day (12:00). 'Afternoon' refers to the period of time after 12:00 until evening.
Rarely, in a poetic or literary context, e.g., 'the midnoon heat'. In standard English, 'noonday' or simply 'noon' is used attributively.
The middle of the day.
Midnoon is usually poetic, archaic, rare in register.
Midnoon: in British English it is pronounced /mɪdˈnuːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪdˌnuːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'midnight' but for the day: MID + NOON = the middle of the noon hour.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A PATH ALONG THE DAY: Midnoon is the central point on that daily journey.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'midnoon' most appropriate?