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

/ nŏk-tûr′nəl /

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

• nocˈturnally, adverb
• ˌnocturˈnality, noun

Other Words From

• 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 size of a house cat, colugos are nocturnal mammals that live in trees.

From Science News

Depending on where canopy bridges are located, marsupials or rodents could benefit, though observing such creatures to know for sure could be a challenge if they are nocturnal.

From Science News

Revealing these differences can be a stepping stone toward seeing how nocturnal activities are faring under climate change.

From Popular-Science

This research project uses the nocturnal insects as a delivery service for tiny electronic packages that weigh less than a hundredth of an ounce.

From TechCrunch

Besides eye and body size, the team also recorded information on where the frogs lived, whether they were diurnal or nocturnal, and certain aspects of their reproductive behavior.

From Popular-Science

For the last few weeks, the Ukrainians have reported nocturnal attacks on positions in this area almost every morning.

From The Daily Beast

As the sun was setting, we made our way back, along a highway furrowed by hippos during their nocturnal forages.

From The Daily Beast

Coffeehouses stayed open late, while in the countryside, “spinning bees”—nocturnal gatherings of women—were enduringly popular.

From The Daily Beast

With Ramadan turning schedules nocturnal, the women are preparing daily breakfast meals, called iftar.

From The Daily Beast

Dennis was recovering from a downturn in his life—wild drugs, hospital, and a nocturnal escape organized by Jack Nicholson.

From The Daily Beast

If only they both come to realise it in their normal waking states his Double will cease these nocturnal excursions.

From Project Gutenberg

Desks and boxes were thrust aside, the winch was manned, and the weighty lantern mounted slowly to its nocturnal watch-tower.

From Project Gutenberg

But they were not ready as yet to do any nocturnal spearing, and if ever Indians wanted a night's rest they wanted it.

From Project Gutenberg

And each man, I am sure, can imagine how ill A journey nocturnal agree with me will.

From Project Gutenberg

Such was found to be the case, as they are strictly nocturnal hunters, and keep their holes closely shut during the day-time.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• nightly
• nighttime