Moonlighting: meaning, definitions and examples

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moonlighting

 

[ ˈmuːnˌlaɪtɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

employment activities

Moonlighting refers to the practice of holding a second job in addition to one's primary employment. This typically occurs outside of regular work hours and can involve various forms of work, such as freelance projects, part-time jobs, or personal ventures. Individuals may choose to moonlight for extra income or to pursue personal interests, especially if their primary job does not fully satisfy their financial or creative needs.

Synonyms

freelancing, second job, side job

Examples of usage

  • She started moonlighting as a graphic designer on weekends.
  • Many teachers consider moonlighting to supplement their income.
  • He was found moonlighting, which is against company policy.
  • She enjoys moonlighting by writing articles for local magazines.

Translations

Translations of the word "moonlighting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 trabalho secundário

🇮🇳 साइड जॉब

🇩🇪 Nebenjob

🇮🇩 pekerjaan sampingan

🇺🇦 підробіток

🇵🇱 praca dodatkowa

🇯🇵 副業

🇫🇷 travail complémentaire

🇪🇸 trabajo secundario

🇹🇷 yan iş

🇰🇷 부업

🇸🇦 عمل جانبي

🇨🇿 vedlejší práce

🇸🇰 vedľajšia práca

🇨🇳 兼职工作

🇸🇮 dodatno delo

🇮🇸 hliðarstörf

🇰🇿 қосымша жұмыс

🇬🇪 მხარე სამუშაო

🇦🇿 yan iş

🇲🇽 trabajo adicional

Etymology

The term 'moonlighting' originates from the combination of 'moon' and 'lighting', where 'moon' refers to the night sky and 'lighting' alludes to the act of working late or during the night. The phrase gained popularity in the early 20th century, reflecting the idea that people would work in the shadows of the moonlight to earn extra money, often without their primary employer's knowledge. In essence, moonlighting captures the concept of balancing multiple responsibilities and roles, particularly in an economy where many individuals seek to boost their earnings or explore different interests. Over the years, it has been associated with the gig economy, where freelancing and side jobs have become more common due to technological advancements and shifting work cultures.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,916 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.