nocturnal

[ nok-tur-nl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the night ( diurnal ).
2. done, occurring, or coming at night:

   nocturnal visit.

   Synonyms: nighttime

3. active at night ( diurnal ):

   nocturnal animals.

4. opening by night and closing by day, as certain flowers ( diurnal ).

noun

1. Archaic. an astrolabe for telling time at night or for determining latitude by the position of certain stars in reference to Polaris.

nocturnal

/ nɒkˈtɜːnəl /

adjective

1. of, used during, occurring in, or relating to the night
2. (of animals) active at night
3. (of plants) having flowers that open at night and close by day

nocturnal

1. Occurring at night.
2. Most active at night. Many animals, such as owls and bats, are nocturnal.
3. Having flowers that open during the night and close at daylight. Nocturnal plants are often pollinated by moths.
4. Compare diurnal

Derived Forms

• ˌnocturˈnality, noun
• nocˈturnally, adverb

Other Word Forms

• noctur·nali·ty noun
• noc·turnal·ly adverb
• nonnoc·turnal adjective
• nonnoc·turnal·ly adverb
• semi·noc·turnal adjective
• unnoc·turnal adjective
• unnoc·turnal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of nocturnal¹

From the Late Latin word nocturnālis, dating back to 1475–85. See nocturn, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nocturnal¹

C15: from Late Latin nocturnālis, from Latin nox night

Example Sentences

The answers are left as teasingly cryptic as the shocking outcome of that nocturnal interaction.

From Los Angeles Times

Artificial light that hampers nocturnal pollinators reduces plant reproductive success and fruit production.

From Salon

WWF describes them as solitary, elusive and nocturnal and rarely spotted by humans.

From BBC

The least nocturnal puma tracked was P-13, a female with a home range in the central and western Santa Monicas.

From Los Angeles Times

Mice are nocturnal and are "polyphasic sleepers" -- napping for a few minutes before arousing briefly to survey their environment and then resuming their slumber.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• nightly
• nighttime