nightcap

[nahyt-kap]

noun

1. Informal.,  an alcoholic drink taken at bedtime or at the end of a festive evening.

2. a cap for the head, intended primarily to be worn in bed.

3. Sports Informal.,  the last event of the program for the day, especially the second game of a doubleheader in baseball or the last race of the day in horse racing.

nightcap

/ ˈnaɪtˌkæp /

noun

1. a bedtime drink, esp an alcoholic or hot one

2. a soft cap formerly worn in bed

Other Word Forms

• nightcapped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nightcap¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; night, cap ¹

Example Sentences

Yoga as a nightcap I like to do a little yoga before bed.

From Los Angeles Times

From nightcaps on the royal train to discussions over the Coronation budget, here are some of the most eye-catching anecdotes in the book:

From BBC

So no matter what happens throughout the day, that’s going to be the nightcap.

From Los Angeles Times

The nightcap was a Black Sabbath reunion featuring guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward.

From Salon

The Lakers completed Summer League play against the Denver Nuggets in the Friday nightcap.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sedative