nocturne

American  

[nok-turn] / ˈnɒk tɜrn /

noun

Music.

1. a piece appropriate to the night or evening.

2. an instrumental composition of a dreamy or pensive character.

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nocturne British  

/ ˈnɒktɜːn /

noun

1. a short, lyrical piece of music, esp one for the piano

2. a painting or tone poem of a night scene

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Etymology

Origin of nocturne

From the French word nocturne, dating back to 1860–65. See nocturn

Explanation

A nocturne is a piece of dreamy piano music. A particularly lovely, well-played nocturne might bring tears to your eyes. Sniff, sniff. Nocturnes are traditionally inspired by or suggesting nighttime, with the resulting composition being romantic and a bit melancholy. The earliest nocturnes were written and performed (usually in the evening) in the eighteenth century. Chopin is probably the most well known composer of nocturnes, having written twenty-one of them. The word nocturne comes from the Latin nocturnus, "belonging to the night."

Example Sentences

And hitting all his elements perfectly to Chopin's haunting, melancholic "Nocturne No. 20" earned the young skater his season's best score of 85.65 points and a place in Friday's free skating final.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

Appeared in the February 7, 2026, print edition as 'A Bleak New York Nocturne'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

It comes after Nocturne Live Oxfordshire revealed earlier this year that it would no longer be staging its outdoor music festival at the site after a decade of shows.

From BBC • Nov. 10, 2025

At the heart of the evening was a trio of suites that followed a basic construction: a Messiaen piano solo, a Chopin Nocturne and a fragmentary reprise of the Messiaen.

From New York Times • May 25, 2023

This solo she plays on "Harlem Nocturne"? It's so good, it makes me want to take sax lessons.

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements