nocturnal

[ nok-tur-nl ]
/ nɒkˈtɜr nl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR nocturnal ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of or relating to the night (opposed to diurnal).
done, occurring, or coming at night: nocturnal visit.
active at night (opposed to diurnal): nocturnal animals.
opening by night and closing by day, as certain flowers (opposed to diurnal).

noun

Archaic. an astrolabe for telling time at night or for determining latitude by the position of certain stars in reference to Polaris.

Origin of nocturnal

From the Late Latin word nocturnālis, dating back to 1475–85. See nocturn, -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM nocturnal

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH nocturnal

diurnal nocturnal

Words nearby nocturnal

noctograph, noctuid, noctule, nocturia, nocturn, nocturnal, nocturnal arc, nocturnal emission, nocturnal enuresis, nocturnal myoclonus, nocturne

Words related to nocturnal

nightly, nighttime, late, night

Example sentences from the Web for nocturnal

British Dictionary definitions for nocturnal

nocturnal
/ (nɒkˈtɜːnəl) /

adjective

of, used during, occurring in, or relating to the night
(of animals) active at night
(of plants) having flowers that open at night and close by day
Compare diurnal

Derived forms of nocturnal

nocturnality, noun nocturnally, adverb

Word Origin for nocturnal

C15: from Late Latin nocturnālis, from Latin nox night

Medical definitions for nocturnal

nocturnal
[ nŏk-tûr′nəl ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or occurring in the night.
Most active at night.

Scientific definitions for nocturnal

nocturnal
[ nŏk-tûr′nəl ]

Occurring at night.
Most active at night. Many animals, such as owls and bats, are nocturnal.
Having flowers that open during the night and close at daylight. Nocturnal plants are often pollinated by moths. Compare diurnal.