chronotype

American  

[kroh-nuh-tahyp, kron-uh-, kroh-noh-] / ˈkroʊ nəˌtaɪp, ˈkrɒn ə-, ˈkroʊ noʊ- /

noun

1. the tendency to be naturally more active or wakeful at a particular period of the day, varying in humans by individual and stage of life, and sometimes linked to other behaviors or to personality type.

   Typical office schedules cater to those with a morning chronotype, but some workers may be most productive in the late afternoon.

   Chronotype reflects a spectrum ranging from extreme preference for morning activity to extreme preference for evening activity.

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Etymology

Origin of chronotype

First recorded in 1970–75; chrono- ( def. ) + type ( def. )

Example Sentences

But matching exercise with chronotype produced larger health gains in blood pressure, aerobic capacity, metabolic markers and sleep quality.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Some did their exercises at times to match their body clock chronotype - the natural predisposition to morning or evening alertness - while others did the opposite.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Your ideal rise time is linked to your chronotype, your genetic predisposition to waking at a certain time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

It is possible, and often necessary, to override your chronotype and other factors in order to perform caregiving duties or get to work on time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

Scientists also aim to better understand how individual factors, including chronotype and genetics, may influence how people respond to different eating schedules.

From Science Daily • Jan. 3, 2026