Night: meaning, definitions and examples

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night

 

[naษชt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

time period

The period of darkness in each twenty-four hours; the time from sunset to sunrise.

Synonyms

darkness, evening, midnight.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
night

Duplicate entry, refer to the first one.

evening

Refers to the time period between the late afternoon and night, usually from around 6 PM to 9 PM.

  • We had a lovely dinner this evening.
  • She likes to go jogging every evening.
darkness

Describes the absence of light, often emphasizing the condition of being unable to see. It can have both literal and metaphorical meanings, sometimes carrying a negative connotation.

  • The room was shrouded in complete darkness.
  • She couldn't shake off the feeling of darkness in her life.
midnight

Specifies exactly 12:00 AM, the middle of the night. It is often used when referring to the exact time of events occurring late at night.

  • The clock struck midnight.
  • She stayed up until midnight to finish her project.

Examples of usage

  • It was a cold, dark night.
  • The stars were shining brightly in the night sky.
Context #2 | Noun

sleep

The time from sunset to sunrise when a person sleeps; the time when a person is not awake and is sleeping.

Synonyms

bedtime, rest, slumber.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
night

This word refers to the time of day between sunset and sunrise, particularly the period when it is dark outside.

  • The stars are so bright at night
  • We heard strange noises during the night
bedtime

Used to describe the specific time when someone usually goes to bed and prepares for sleep.

  • It's your bedtime now, go brush your teeth
  • She always reads a book before bedtime
slumber

A more poetic or formal term for sleep, often used to describe a deep or peaceful state of sleep.

  • She fell into a deep slumber
  • The baby was in a gentle slumber
rest

Used to describe a period where someone stops activities in order to relax, which can occur at any time of day, not just at night.

  • You need to take some rest after your long journey
  • He took a rest under the tree

Examples of usage

  • He works at night and sleeps during the day.
  • I couldn't sleep well last night.
Context #3 | Noun

the evening or night

The time of darkness between one day and the next.

Synonyms

dark, dusk, evening.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
night

Refers to the period of time between sunset and sunrise. It's commonly used to describe the time when people typically rest or sleep.

  • I like to watch the stars at night.
  • The noise in the city decreases at night.
evening

The late part of the day and early part of the night, usually from about 6 PM to bedtime. Often used to reference social activities or relaxation.

  • We had a lovely dinner in the evening.
  • I like to read in the evening.
dusk

The time of day when the sun has just set and the sky starts to get dark, but it is not completely night yet.

  • We went for a walk at dusk.
  • The children played outside until dusk.
dark

Indicates a situation with little or no light. It can describe the time of day, feelings, or even a lack of knowledge.

  • The room was completely dark.
  • I'm afraid of the dark.
  • The story took a dark turn.

Examples of usage

  • We'll meet again tomorrow night.
  • They went for a walk in the park at night.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from Old English 'niht' which meant darkness or the time when it is dark.
  • It is related to the German word 'Nacht' and the Dutch word 'nacht', showing common roots in Germanic languages.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, night is associated with mystery, magic, and the unknown.
  • Festivals of light, like Diwali and Hanukkah, often celebrate the victory of light over darkness during night time.

Science

  • Night occurs because the Earth rotates away from the sun, causing one side to be illuminated and the other in shadow.
  • Many animals adapt their behaviors at night, becoming nocturnal to find food and avoid daytime predators.

Literature

  • Night has been a frequent theme in poetry, symbolizing both peace and fear, as seen in works by poets like Robert Frost and T.S. Eliot.
  • Classic stories often feature night as a time for adventure or danger, like 'A Midsummer Nightโ€™s Dream', where magical happenings occur.

Psychology

  • Studies show that nighttime is a period when humans engage in more creative thinking and exploration of ideas.
  • The bodyโ€™s circadian rhythm emphasizes the restorative value of sleep during night hours, affecting mood and energy.

Translations

Translations of the word "night" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น noite

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฐเคพเคค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Nacht

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ malam

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝั–ั‡

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ noc

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅคœ (ใ‚ˆใ‚‹)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท nuit

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ noche

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท gece

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู„ูŠู„

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ noc

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ noc

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅคœ (yรจ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ noฤ

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ nรณtt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚าฏะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฆแƒแƒ›แƒ” (ghame)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ gecษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ noche

Word Frequency Rank

With position #395, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.