moonlight

[moon-lahyt]

noun

1. the light of the moon.

adjective

1. pertaining to moonlight.

2. illuminated by moonlight.

3. occurring by moonlight, or at night.

verb (used without object)

moonlighted, moonlighting 

1. to work at an additional job after one's regular, full-time employment, as at night.

moonlight

/ ˈmuːnˌlaɪt /

noun

1. Also called: moonshine. light from the sun received on earth after reflection by the moon

2. (modifier) illuminated by the moon

   a moonlight walk

3. short for moonlight flit

verb

1. informal,  (intr) to work at a secondary job, esp at night, and often illegitimately

Other Word Forms

• moonlighter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of moonlight¹

1325–75; 1950–55 moonlight for def. 5; Middle English monelight

Example Sentences

What was once a pejorative term—“moonlighting”—morphed into a more-attractive “side hustle.”

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Shards of glass tinkle to the ground, and a flood of moonlight washes through the basement.

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If only she might climb that moonlight like a ladder and make a run for it!

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“Thought I saw an enemy ship in the moonlight, a glint of light off the starboard bow....”

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The moonlight played on the leaf-and-ivy pattern of the carpet and the floral print of the wallpaper.

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