definitions

nighthawk

[ nahyt-hawk ]
/ ˈnaɪtˌhɔk /
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noun

any of several longwinged, American goatsuckers of the genus Chordeiles, related to the whippoorwill, especially C. minor, having variegated black, white, and buff plumage.
the European goatsucker or nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus.
Informal. a person who is habitually up or moving about late at night; night owl.

RELATED WORDS

libertine, rake, waster, lecher, wastrel, reprobate, prodigal, degenerate, operator, good-for-nothing, debauchee, swinger, abandoned, corrupt, debauched, depraved, dissipated, evil, fast, intemperate

Nearby words

nightclubbing, nightdress, nightfall, nightglow, nightgown, nighthawk, nightie, nightingale, nightingale ward, nightingale, florence, nightjar

Origin of nighthawk

First recorded in 1605–15; night + hawk1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

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British Dictionary definitions for nighthawk

nighthawk

/ (ˈnaɪtˌhɔːk) /

noun

Also called: bullbat, mosquito hawk any American nightjar of the genus Chordeiles and related genera, having a dark plumage and, in the male, white patches on the wings and tail
informal another name for night owl
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012