Word
diurnal
Phoneticsdi·ur·nal, stress on the second syllable
US/daɪˈɝnəɫ/
UK/dˈɪɜːnəl/
Definition
adj. relating to the daily cycle of day and night. In plants, it describes leaves that open during the day and close at night.
adj. relating to the daily cycle of day and night; specifically, in botany, describing leaves that open during the day and close at night. Often used in technical contexts to describe plant movements or animal activity patterns.
Examples
“The plant has diurnal leaves that open in the morning.”
“Many desert plants have diurnal habits, opening their flowers only during the cooler hours of the day to conserve moisture.”
“The study focused on diurnal plant movements, specifically how certain species of legumes respond to changes in light intensity by adjusting the orientation of their leaflets.”
Examples
simple
“The plant has diurnal leaves that open in the morning.”
contextual
“Many desert plants have diurnal habits, opening their flowers only during the cooler hours of the day to conserve moisture.”
complex
“The study focused on diurnal plant movements, specifically how certain species of legumes respond to changes in light intensity by adjusting the orientation of their leaflets.”
Real-World Examples
“It also happens in places with diurnal tidal systems, with one high tide and one low tide per day, because of the way different tidal signals interact.” “Nicaraguan farms sit lower , softening acidity into chocolate warmth, while Costa Rican slopes climbing past 1500 meters slow cherry maturation, sharpening citrus brightness through wider diurnal swings.” Etymology
From Latin diurnālis, from diēs (“day”). Doublet of journal.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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