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 Words From

• nightcapped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nightcap¹

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

Example Sentences

Alcohol also increases your likelihood of a noisy night, so try to avoid a nightcap before bed.

From Popular-Science

In the nightcap, however, the chant was audible in the first half and grew more intense in the second.

From Washington Post

In the nightcap, the Nats’ bullpen inherited a 2-1 lead with nine outs needed but imploded for a 6-2 loss.

From Washington Post

Hernandez, a 33-year-old rookie who defected from Cuba in 2015, pinch-hit in the nightcap.

From Washington Post

Yet the nightcap provided an even more spot-on product as one of the season’s best bounce-back stories continued.

From Washington Post

That night, about a week before Thanksgiving, Salahi invited her to his hotel room for a nightcap.

From The Daily Beast

Elaine was always happy to see me, although she didn't bother to hide her irritation when I'd come for a nightcap.

From The Daily Beast

Mrs. Biggs opened her window cautiously, and thrust out her head, minus her false hair, and enveloped in a cotton nightcap.

From Project Gutenberg

Only first exchange that nightcap for some more appropriate covering, or we shall be taken for madmen.

From Project Gutenberg

When the guests are well emptied of theology, everyone takes his nightcap—the signal for breaking up.

From Project Gutenberg

The nightcap is generally the little whisky left in the decanter; to do it honour, it is taken neat.

From Project Gutenberg

He wore a nightcap with a tassel, and for days never left his room, occasionally appearing in a faded peacock-blue dressing-gown.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• sedative