What does "sunlight" mean?

1. (light from the sun) the natural light that comes from the sun. 2. (hope or clarity) a feeling of hope, happiness, or clear understanding. 3. (to work a second day job) to work at a second job during the day, usually in addition to a main job at night.

How do you use "sunlight"?

Often used with 'in' or 'into' to describe being exposed to the sun. Commonly used in the phrase 'the sunlight of...' or 'to bring into the sunlight'. Intransitive verb; often used as a humorous or clever contrast to the more common 'moonlight'.

sunlight

n. · v.

US //ˈsənˌɫaɪt// UK //sˈʌnlaɪt// sun·light

1 light from the sun (n.)
A1 Beginner

the natural light that comes from the sun.

the visible light and other radiation received from the sun. Uncountable in general use; countable when referring to specific instances or qualities of light.

Example

The cat sat on the rug, enjoying the warm sunlight coming through the window.

Example

The architect designed the atrium to maximise the intake of natural sunlight, reducing the building's reliance on artificial lighting during the winter months.

Usage

Often used with 'in' or 'into' to describe being exposed to the sun.
- daylight
- sunshine
- darkness
- moonlight
2 hope or clarity (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a feeling of hope, happiness, or clear understanding.

a figurative state of brightness, hope, or public exposure that brings clarity to a situation.

Example

After months of bad news, the new job offer was a bit of sunlight in her life.

Example

The investigative report finally brought the truth into the sunlight, exposing years of corruption within the local government.

Usage

Commonly used in the phrase 'the sunlight of...' or 'to bring into the sunlight'.
- gloom
- shadow

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3 to work a second day job (v.)
C2 Proficiency Informal

to work at a second job during the day, usually in addition to a main job at night.

to hold a secondary job during daylight hours, typically as a counterpart to 'moonlighting' (working a second job at night).

Example

He works as a security guard at night and sunlights as a gardener to make extra money.

Example

While many musicians moonlight as bartenders, he chose to sunlight as a substitute teacher to keep his evenings free for rehearsals.

Usage

Intransitive verb; often used as a humorous or clever contrast to the more common 'moonlight'.
- double jobbing

Origin

From Middle English sonnelight, sunneliht, from Old English sunnan lēoht (“sunlight”), equivalent to sun + light. Cognate with Dutch zonlicht (“sunlight”), German Low German Sünnenlücht (“sunlight”), German Sonnenlicht (“sunlight”).