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

It was when it reported on matters of which I had zero awareness: my HRV balance, for example, or my chronotype, albeit a wishy-washy “late morning,” a designation I plan to flip to early bird.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

The researchers identified several notable patterns when comparing chronotype groups:

From Science Daily • Jan. 30, 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