nocturnal
of or relating to the night (opposed to diurnal).
done, occurring, or coming at night: nocturnal visit.
Archaic. an astrolabe for telling time at night or for determining latitude by the position of certain stars in reference to Polaris.
Origin of nocturnal
1Other words for nocturnal
Other words from nocturnal
- noc·tur·nal·i·ty, noun
- noc·tur·nal·ly, adverb
- non·noc·tur·nal, adjective
- non·noc·tur·nal·ly, adverb
- sem·i·noc·tur·nal, adjective
- un·noc·tur·nal, adjective
- un·noc·tur·nal·ly, adverb
Words that may be confused with nocturnal
- diurnal, nocturnal
Words Nearby nocturnal
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use nocturnal in a sentence
The size of a house cat, colugos are nocturnal mammals that live in trees.
On a cool night in Malaysia, scientists track mysterious colugos across the treetops | Yao-Hua Law | November 20, 2020 | Science NewsDepending on where canopy bridges are located, marsupials or rodents could benefit, though observing such creatures to know for sure could be a challenge if they are nocturnal.
A rope bridge restored a highway through the trees for endangered gibbons | Carolyn Wilke | October 19, 2020 | Science NewsRevealing these differences can be a stepping stone toward seeing how nocturnal activities are faring under climate change.
Nights are warming faster than days. Here’s what that means for the planet. | Ula Chrobak | October 9, 2020 | Popular-ScienceThis research project uses the nocturnal insects as a delivery service for tiny electronic packages that weigh less than a hundredth of an ounce.
Besides eye and body size, the team also recorded information on where the frogs lived, whether they were diurnal or nocturnal, and certain aspects of their reproductive behavior.
What hundreds of pickled frog carcasses can tell us about their enormous eyes | María Paula Rubiano A. | October 1, 2020 | Popular-Science
For the last few weeks, the Ukrainians have reported nocturnal attacks on positions in this area almost every morning.
Ukrainian Troops Retreat From Russian Border, Leaving 100 Kilometers Open to Invasion | Pierre Vaux | August 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAs the sun was setting, we made our way back, along a highway furrowed by hippos during their nocturnal forages.
Walking With Wildebeests: Exploring the Serengeti on Foot | Joanna Eede | July 9, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTCoffeehouses stayed open late, while in the countryside, “spinning bees”—nocturnal gatherings of women—were enduringly popular.
With Ramadan turning schedules nocturnal, the women are preparing daily breakfast meals, called iftar.
Dennis was recovering from a downturn in his life—wild drugs, hospital, and a nocturnal escape organized by Jack Nicholson.
If only they both come to realise it in their normal waking states his Double will cease these nocturnal excursions.
Three More John Silence Stories | Algernon BlackwoodDesks and boxes were thrust aside, the winch was manned, and the weighty lantern mounted slowly to its nocturnal watch-tower.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands | R.M. BallantyneBut they were not ready as yet to do any nocturnal spearing, and if ever Indians wanted a night's rest they wanted it.
Overland | John William De ForestAnd each man, I am sure, can imagine how ill A journey nocturnal agree with me will.
Such was found to be the case, as they are strictly nocturnal hunters, and keep their holes closely shut during the day-time.
In the Wilds of Florida | W.H.G. Kingston
British Dictionary definitions for nocturnal
/ (nɒkˈtɜːnəl) /
of, used during, occurring in, or relating to the night
(of animals) active at night
(of plants) having flowers that open at night and close by day
Origin of nocturnal
1- Compare diurnal
Derived forms of nocturnal
- nocturnality, noun
- nocturnally, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for nocturnal
[ nŏk-tûr′nəl ]
Occurring at night.
Most active at night. Many animals, such as owls and bats, are nocturnal.
Having flowers that open during the night and close at daylight. Nocturnal plants are often pollinated by moths. Compare diurnal.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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