nocturne

American  

[nok-turn] / ˈnɒk tɜrn /

noun

Music.

1. a piece appropriate to the night or evening.

2. an instrumental composition of a dreamy or pensive character.

---

nocturne British  

/ ˈnɒktɜːn /

noun

1. a short, lyrical piece of music, esp one for the piano

2. a painting or tone poem of a night scene

---

Etymology

Origin of nocturne

From the French word nocturne, dating back to 1860–65. See nocturn

Explanation

A nocturne is a piece of dreamy piano music. A particularly lovely, well-played nocturne might bring tears to your eyes. Sniff, sniff. Nocturnes are traditionally inspired by or suggesting nighttime, with the resulting composition being romantic and a bit melancholy. The earliest nocturnes were written and performed (usually in the evening) in the eighteenth century. Chopin is probably the most well known composer of nocturnes, having written twenty-one of them. The word nocturne comes from the Latin nocturnus, "belonging to the night."

Example Sentences

And hitting all his elements perfectly to Chopin's haunting, melancholic "Nocturne No. 20" earned the young skater his season's best score of 85.65 points and a place in Friday's free skating final.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

Appeared in the February 7, 2026, print edition as 'A Bleak New York Nocturne'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

He was playing the Nocturne from Hindemith’s “Suite 1922,” a collection of five genre pieces like marches and rags, and there are a few moments in which the pianist only needs to use one hand.

From New York Times • Mar. 8, 2024

Lucy wowed passers by at Leeds train station with her rendition of Chopin's Nocturne in B-flat minor.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2023

This solo she plays on "Harlem Nocturne"? It's so good, it makes me want to take sax lessons.

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements