nighttime
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.the time when it is dark outside, after the evening and before the morning.
n.the period of darkness between the end of evening and the beginning of dawn.
Simple“The city looks very different at nighttime when all the lights are on.”
In context“During the winter months, nighttime lasts significantly longer, affecting the local wildlife's hunting patterns and energy conservation.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
adj.happening or used during the night.
adj.occurring, active, or used during the night; typically used in an attributive position before a noun.
Simple“He enjoys taking nighttime walks through the quiet park.”
In context“The hospital increased its nighttime staff to ensure that emergency admissions were handled with the same efficiency as daytime cases.”
UsageUsually placed before the noun it describes.
From Middle English nyght tyme, nyȝttyme, equivalent to night + time. Compare Dutch nachttijd, German Nachtzeit, Danish nattetid, Swedish nattetid. Compare also Middle English nyȝter tyme (“nighttime”), from Old Norse náttartími, nætrtími (“nighttime”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.