nocturnal

Speech parts

1. nocturnal - Noun

2. nocturnal - Adjective

Meaning

Of, pertaining to, done or occuring in, the night; as, nocturnal darkness, cries, expedition, etc.; -- opposed to diurnal.

Having a habit of seeking food or moving about at night; as, nocturnal birds and insects.

An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the stars, etc., at sea.

Source: Webster's dictionary

Synonyms

nocturne nightcrawler late night darkling notturno dark evening midnight darkness overnight nighttime dusk nightly Lillie
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Antonyms

diurnal day sun daily daytime daylight
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Phrases with the word

nocturnal animal large-eyed nocturnal bird bush baby nocturnal bush baby small nocturnal nocturnal bat nocturnal period

Examples

We writers are shy, nocturnal creatures. Push us into the light and the light blinds us. John Banville

It was a meditation on life, love, old age, death: ideas that had often fluttered around her head like nocturnal birds but dissolved into a trickle of feathers when she tried to catch hold of them. Gabriel García Márquez

Here in this moment we are beautiful, nocturnal creatures and our thoughts and words are jewels guarded by the moon. Henry Rollins

The truth is revolutionary," gasps the nocturnal voice; "get you gone, you men of truth, you who cast disorder among ignorance, you who strew words and sow the wind; you contrivers, begone! You bring in the reign of men! But the multitude hates you and mocks you! Henri Barbusse

I sincerely believe revolution to be the source of legal right; but the nocturnal armed assault of March 10 could never be considered a revolution. Fidel Castro

Erotic play discloses a nameless world which is revealed by the nocturnal language of lovers. Such language is not written down. It is whispered into the ear at night in a hoarse voice. At dawn it is forgotten. Jean Genet

Close letter words and terms

nocturia nocturlabe nocturn nocturnal active photolocation nocturnal animal nocturnal arc