nighthawk

[ nahyt-hawk ]
/ ˈnaɪtˌhɔk /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR nighthawk ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any of several longwinged, American goatsuckers of the genus Chordeiles, related to the whippoorwill, especially C. minor, having variegated black, white, and buff plumage.
the European goatsucker or nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus.
Informal. a person who is habitually up or moving about late at night; night owl.

Origin of nighthawk

First recorded in 1605–15; night + hawk1

Words nearby nighthawk

nightclub, nightdress, nightfall, nightglow, nightgown, nighthawk, nightie, nightingale, nightingale ward, nightingale, florence, nightjar

Words related to nighthawk

libertine, rake, waster, lecher, wastrel, reprobate, prodigal, degenerate, operator, good-for-nothing, debauchee, swinger, abandoned, corrupt, debauched, depraved, dissipated, evil, fast, intemperate

Example sentences from the Web for nighthawk

British Dictionary definitions for nighthawk

nighthawk
/ (ˈnaɪtˌhɔːk) /

noun

Also called: bullbat, mosquito hawk any American nightjar of the genus Chordeiles and related genera, having a dark plumage and, in the male, white patches on the wings and tail
informal another name for night owl