Word Noun
nightfall
n.
uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈnaɪtˌfɔɫ/ UK /nˈaɪtfɔːl/ night·fall UK spelling nightfalls
Definition
n.the time of day when it starts to get dark and night begins.
n.the onset of darkness at the end of the day; the transition from twilight to night.
Examples
“We should try to reach the camp before nightfall.”
“The hikers quickened their pace as nightfall approached, hoping to find the trail marker before the light faded completely.”
“The ancient city gates were traditionally locked at nightfall to protect the inhabitants from nocturnal threats, a practice that continued well into the nineteenth century.”
Usage
Often follows the preposition 'at' or 'before'.
Real-world usage
“The birds stop singing because they think it’s nightfall.”
Etymology
From night + fall. Cf. dewfall.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated