Definition of NOCTURNAL

nocturnal

Meanings

Plural: nocturnals

Adjective

  • belonging to or active during the night
    • "nocturnal animals are active at night"
    • "nocturnal plants have flowers that open at night and close by day"
  • of or relating to or occurring in the night
    • "nocturnal darkness"

Adj

  • Primarily active during the night.
  • Taking place at night, nightly.

Noun

  • A person or creature that is active at night.
  • A device for telling the time at night, rather like a sundial but read according to the stars.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle French nocturnal, from Latin nocturnus (“nocturnal, nightly”), from Latin nox (“night”), from Proto-Indo-European *nókʷts (“night”). Cognates include Ancient Greek νύξ (núx), Sanskrit नक्ति (nákti), Old English niht (English night) and Proto-Slavic *noťь.

Synonyms

lucifugous, nightish, nightly, nighttime, nocturnal, star clock

Antonyms

diurnal, nonnocturnal

Scrabble Score: 11

nocturnal is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
nocturnal is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
nocturnal is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

nocturnal is a valid Words With Friends word