night-lamp

night-lamp

A child turns on the night-lamp before going to sleep.

Definition

Noun: A night-lamp is a small, dim light or lamp that is kept on during the night, typically in a bedroom or hallway, to provide gentle illumination for safety or comfort while sleeping.

Usage Examples
  • (A small light used for comfort at night.)
  • (A dim lamp used for nighttime visibility.)
  • (A lamp used for low-level lighting at night.)
Advanced Usage
  • "night-lamp" as a compound noun: It is often used interchangeably with "night-light," though "night-lamp" may imply a slightly larger or more decorative light source.

    • The antique night-lamp on the nightstand was a family heirloom. (A decorative lamp used for nighttime lighting.)
  • In medical or caregiving contexts: Night-lamps are used in hospitals or nursing homes to reduce fall risks at night.

    • A night-lamp was placed in the patient’s room to prevent accidents during the night. (A safety light for nighttime use.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Night-light (n): a common synonym for night-lamp, especially a small, often plug-in light.

    • The children’s night-light projected stars onto the ceiling. (A small light used for nighttime comfort.)
  • Lamplight (n): the light produced by a lamp, often used in literary contexts.

    • By lamplight, she could see the pages of the book clearly. (Light from a lamp.)
Synonyms
  • Bedside lamp: a lamp placed on a table next to a bed, often used for reading or as a night-lamp.
  • Nightstand lamp: similar to a bedside lamp, typically used for low-level lighting at night.
Related Idioms
  • "Burn the midnight oil": to work or study late into the night (idiom, not directly about night-lamps, but associated with nighttime activity).

    • She burned the midnight oil to finish her essay, relying on her night-lamp for light. (Worked late at night using a lamp.)
  • "Light at the end of the tunnel": a sign of hope or relief after a difficult period (idiom, using "light" metaphorically).

    • The night-lamp was like a light at the end of the tunnel for the scared child. (A source of comfort in darkness.)