# daytime

/ˈdeɪˌtaɪm/ (US) · /dˈeɪtaɪm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/daytime
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the period of daylight

noun · CEFR A2

the time of day when it is light outside.

For teachers: the period of natural light between dawn and dusk.

- The park is much safer to walk through during the daytime.
- While the desert is scorching during the daytime, temperatures can plummet rapidly once the sun disappears below the horizon.

Usage: Often used with 'in the' or 'during the'.

### 2. happening during the day

adjective · CEFR B1

describes something that happens or is used during the day rather than at night.

For teachers: occurring, active, or used during the hours of daylight.

- She prefers watching daytime television while she eats her lunch.
- The network shifted its programming strategy to include more educational daytime broadcasts for children staying home from school.

Usage: Usually placed before a noun.

Teaching tip: In biological contexts, 'diurnal' is the technical term, but 'daytime' is the standard choice for everyday activities.

## Examples

- The park is very busy during the daytime.
- Many animals that sleep at night are active during the daytime to find food and warmth.
- While the city is famous for its vibrant nightlife, the daytime reveals a much quieter atmosphere where locals go about their daily routines in the sunlit squares.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.