What does nighttime mean?
Nighttime is the period between sunset and sunrise, when the sun is below the horizon and the day gives way to darkness. The word is widely understood in both American and British English and is often more formal or literary than the simpler word “night.” It appears naturally in expressions involving late hours, television, noise, travel, safety, and other matters associated with the hours after dusk. Although it can be used attributively, as in “nighttime television,” its primary role is as a noun. In descriptions of schedules, broadcasts, or public conditions, “nighttime” can make the relevant period clear without implying a particular atmosphere. It is especially useful when distinguishing the time of day from darkness itself or from a specific evening.
The period of the day between sunset and sunrise.
"The city’s nighttime activity peaks around midnight."
Common in formal, literary, and informational contexts; often used in the plural form “nighttime hours.”
Occurring or taking place during the period between sunset and sunrise.
"The station airs a late-night program, followed by a nighttime news bulletin."
Usually used attributively before a noun, such as “nighttime television” or “nighttime traffic.”
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon. The usual expression for recurring periods is “nighttime hours.”
"The museum’s nighttime hours extend until two in the morning."
Nighttime is the part of the day that belongs to the moon, the stars, and all the stories people tell after the sun goes down.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nighttime come from?
The word is a compound of “night” and “time,” both inherited through English from Germanic and Old Norse roots. “Night” ultimately relates to a Germanic word for the period of darkness, while “time” comes from a Germanic term for a measured span or period. The compound became established in modern English and is now commonly used as a formal alternative to “night.”
Related word forms
How nighttime is actually used
“Nighttime” is standard in American English and is also used in British English, especially in formal, literary, or public-facing contexts. It is often more precise than “night” when referring to a time period rather than darkness or an event.
Easily confused with nighttime
“Nighttime” refers specifically to the period between sunset and sunrise, whereas “night” can also describe the darkness or the events and atmosphere associated with that period.