nocturnal
Say it: nok-TUR-nul /nɑkˈtɝnəl/ · adjective
What “nocturnal” means
Active or happening at night.
Example: “Exam season turns students into nocturnal creatures surviving on toast and coffee.”
When to use it
Use it neutrally for animals active at night, or playfully for people who work or stay awake after dark.
Similar words
nighttime, after-dark
Where it comes from
From Latin nocturnus, "of the night."
Quick check
An owl sleeps through the afternoon, then wakes and hunts once the sun has set. What kind of animal is it?
diurnal or nocturnal?
Show the answer
nocturnal
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