night-light
B1Informal, everyday, domestic.
Definition
Meaning
A small, dim lamp left on during the night, typically in a child's bedroom, to provide comfort or a small amount of illumination.
A faint, low-wattage source of light used to navigate or provide reassurance in darkness; metaphorically, a small source of comfort or hope in a difficult situation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A closed compound noun. Primarily refers to a physical object (a lamp). Its metaphorical use ('a night-light of hope') is poetic and less frequent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is used identically in both varieties. Spelling is hyphenated as 'night-light'. In AmE, 'nightlight' (one word, no hyphen) is also a common variant.
Connotations
Strongly associated with childcare and domestic settings in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[have/use/plug in] a night-light[leave/turn on] the night-lightThe night-light [glows/provides comfort]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Metaphorical] A night-light in the darkness of despair.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, except in specific contexts like paediatric or sleep studies.
Everyday
Common in domestic/family contexts.
Technical
May be used in product descriptions (electrical, childcare).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Not used as a verb)
American English
- (Not used as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard. Use 'night-light' as noun modifier: 'night-light bulb').
American English
- (Not standard. Use 'night-light' as noun modifier: 'nightlight plug').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My little brother has a night-light in his room.
- The night-light is very dim.
- We bought a plug-in night-light for the hallway.
- She feels safer with a night-light on.
- The soft glow from the night-light was enough to see the door.
- Paediatricians sometimes recommend a night-light to reduce a child's night-time anxiety.
- In the profound darkness of the countryside, the digital clock served as a feeble night-light.
- His unwavering optimism acted as a night-light during the company's most turbulent period.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the two parts: NIGHT (when it's used) + LIGHT (what it provides). It's a light for the night.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS LIGHT; FEAR IS DARKNESS. A night-light is a source of comfort that 'fights' the metaphorical darkness of fear.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'ночной свет'. The correct equivalent is 'ночник'.
- Do not confuse with 'torch' or 'flashlight' (фонарик). A night-light is stationary and plugs in.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'nightlight' (acceptable in AmE) or 'night light' (open compound).
- Using it to mean any light used at night (e.g., a street lamp).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a night-light?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, especially in American English. 'Night-light' (hyphenated) is the more traditional and formal spelling.
Yes. While associated with children, adults may use them for safety (e.g., in a hallway) or comfort.
A night-light is specifically designed to be very dim and left on for long periods. A lamp provides brighter, task-oriented light.
Yes. E.g., 'We have three night-lights in the house.'