Word
moonlit
Phoneticsmoon·lit, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmunˌɫɪt/
UK/mˈuːnlɪt/
Definition
adj. lit by the light of the moon, usually soft and pale at night.
adj. illuminated by moonlight, typically with soft silvery light at night. Often placed before nouns for landscapes, paths, or rooms seen after dark.
Examples
“They walk along the moonlit beach at night.”
“The couple enjoys dinner on the moonlit terrace overlooking the quiet sea.”
“The moonlit garden lay silent, each hedge and stone path edged in silver while distant owls called through the still air.”
Examples
simple
“They walk along the moonlit beach at night.”
contextual
“The couple enjoys dinner on the moonlit terrace overlooking the quiet sea.”
complex
“The moonlit garden lay silent, each hedge and stone path edged in silver while distant owls called through the still air.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “moonlit” in context.
Verb
01. appear moonlit
“The courtyard appeared moonlit through the open shutters.”
verb + adj
02. be moonlit
“The whole terrace was moonlit and completely silent.”
verb + adj
03. look moonlit
“The hills looked moonlit and mysterious in the distance.”
verb + adj
04. moonlit glows
“The moonlit snow glows silver in the night.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. moonlit beach
“They strolled barefoot along the quiet moonlit beach.”
adj + noun
06. moonlit garden
“Shadows fell softly across the moonlit garden.”
adj + noun
07. moonlit night
“We took a long walk on a clear moonlit night.”
adj + noun
08. moonlit path
“We followed the narrow moonlit path back to the village.”
adj + noun
09. moonlit sea
“The moonlit sea stretched calmly to the horizon.”
adj + noun
Noun
10. in moonlit garden
“A cat moved silently in the moonlit garden.”
prep + adj + noun
11. bathed in moonlit glow
“The old castle was bathed in moonlit glow.”
12. in the moonlit garden
“Shadows moved softly in the moonlit garden.”
Real-World Examples
“The ranch hand walks along rocky ground, the beam of her flashlight cutting through the moonlit night.” Etymology
From moon + lit. Compare Saterland Frisian mouneljoacht (“moonlit”), West Frisian moanneljocht (“moonlit”), Dutch maanverlicht (“moonlit”), Danish månelys (“moonlit”), Swedish månljus (“moonlit”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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