nightlife

American  

[nahyt-lahyf] / ˈnaɪtˌlaɪf /

Or night life

noun

1. the activity of people seeking nighttime diversion, as at a nightclub, theater, or the like.

2. the entertainment available to them.

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nightlife British  

/ ˈnaɪtˌlaɪf /

noun

1. social life or entertainment taking place in the late evening or night, as in nightclubs

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Etymology

Origin of nightlife

First recorded in 1850–55; night + life

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Explanation

Popular entertainment that happens after dark is called nightlife. In your small town, the nightlife might be all about disco night at the Elks Lodge. Any social activity you take part in at night can be called nightlife, but the word usually describes things like dancing at clubs, big parties, and live music concerts. If you visit a large city, there is going to be more nightlife available than if you spend the summer in remote Alaska. This word, with its original definition, "habitual nocturnal carousing," dates from the 1850s.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nightlife

You might be familiar with him as a longtime fixture of the NYC nightlife scene or as an actor on HBO’s Somebody Somewhere.

From Slate ● Oct. 20, 2026

Still, Adam said, the lack of nightlife forced younger people to go elsewhere for a night out, which impacted the local economy.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

HBO brought on club promoter and music broadcaster Boiler Room because of its deep roots in nightlife culture and music.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

This Mediterranean city seems to have it all — 300 days of sunshine, miles of beaches, a lively restaurant and nightlife scene, a beautiful and highly walkable historic center, and excellent public transportation.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026

It would have made an excellent spot from which to see the sky or take in the meerkats’ nightlife.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

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