nighttime: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-HighNeutral to informal; slightly less formal than 'night' or 'at night'.
Quick answer
What does “nighttime” mean?
The period of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The period of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
More specifically, the part of the day associated with darkness and sleep. Often used adjectivally to describe activities or phenomena occurring during this period.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'night-time' (with a hyphen) is the traditional spelling. 'Nighttime' (closed) is the standard American spelling and is increasingly common in British English due to American influence.
Connotations
Slight preference for the hyphenated form in careful UK writing. No significant difference in meaning or connotation.
Frequency
More common as a single lexical item in American English; in British English, the adverbial phrase 'at night' is often preferred.
Grammar
How to Use “nighttime” in a Sentence
[adjective] + nighttime + [noun]during + the + nighttimeat + nighttimeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “nighttime” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- The foxes come out nighttime.
- The broadcast airs nighttime.
American English
- The store is open nighttime.
- They patrol the area nighttime.
adjective
British English
- He has a night-time security job.
- The night-time air was crisp.
American English
- She took a nighttime cold medicine.
- The city's nighttime skyline is spectacular.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in logistics, healthcare, and security scheduling (e.g., 'nighttime operations', 'nighttime premium pay').
Academic
Used in scientific contexts like astronomy, biology, and climatology (e.g., 'nighttime cooling', 'nighttime foraging behaviour').
Everyday
Common in conversation about routines, weather, and media (e.g., 'I work nighttime shifts', 'It's a great nighttime show').
Technical
Used in meteorology (e.g., 'nighttime minimum temperature'), aviation, and medicine (e.g., 'nighttime hypoglycemia').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “nighttime”
- Using 'nighttime' as an adverb without a preposition (e.g., 'I go jogging nighttime'). Correct: '...at nighttime' or '...at night'.
- Overusing 'nighttime' where 'night' is simpler (e.g., 'It happened in the nighttime').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Night' is the general concept or a specific instance of darkness. 'Nighttime' refers more to the recurring period or is used adjectivally (e.g., nighttime hours).
In American English, it's one word: 'nighttime'. In traditional British English, it's hyphenated: 'night-time'. The one-word version is becoming more common globally.
Informally, yes (e.g., 'He works nighttime'), but it's considered non-standard. The preferred adverbial forms are 'at night' or 'at nighttime'.
Not directly. 'Nocturnal' is an adjective meaning 'active at night'. 'Nighttime' is primarily a noun. You can say 'nocturnal animals' or 'nighttime activity'.
The period of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
Nighttime is usually neutral to informal; slightly less formal than 'night' or 'at night'. in register.
Nighttime: in British English it is pronounced /ˈnaɪt.taɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈnaɪtˌtaɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[N/A - nighttime itself is not typically part of an idiom; idiomatic expressions use 'night']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a clock: the hands point to 'night' and 'time'. It's simply the time of night.
Conceptual Metaphor
NIGHTTIME IS A CONTAINER (for activities, events); NIGHTTIME IS A COVER/BLANKET (providing concealment, rest).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'nighttime' correctly?