Nighttime
ˈnaɪtˌtaɪm
Definitions
The period of darkness between evening and morning.
ˈnaɪtˌtaɪm
The time between sunset and sunrise.
The stars are visible during nighttime.
💡 Simply: Nighttime is when the sun goes down, and it's dark outside. You usually sleep then! Think of going to bed after dinner.
👶 For kids: Nighttime is when the sun goes away, and it's dark. It's when you go to sleep!
More Examples
Many nocturnal animals are active during nighttime.
The city lights up beautifully during nighttime.
How It's Used
"Children often sleep during nighttime."
"Astronomers often conduct their observations during nighttime hours."
"The eerie sounds of the forest echoed through the nighttime air."
Idioms & expressions
night and day
Completely different; contrasting.
"Their personalities are night and day."
From "night" + "time". The concept has existed as long as humans have experienced darkness and measured time.
Used in similar ways throughout history; the compound word is relatively modern, but the concepts of 'night' and 'time' existed previously.
Memory tip
Think of the time when the sun is not visible.
Word Origin
"night (from niht) + time (from tima)"