night-time

The children read a storybook together at night-time.

Definition

1. Noun (mass noun):
   • The period of darkness between sunset and sunrise: "night-time" refers to the hours when the sun is below the horizon, typically associated with rest, sleep, or reduced visibility.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Many animals are active during night-time. (The period of darkness when nocturnal creatures are awake.)
  • The city is quieter at night-time than during the day. (The hours after dark are less busy.)

Advanced Usage

• "in the night-time": during the hours of darkness.

  • She often reads in the night-time when everyone else is asleep. (She reads during the dark hours.)

• "night-time hours": the specific period from dusk to dawn.

  • The shop closes during night-time hours for security reasons. (The store is shut after dark.)

Variants and Related Words

• Night (n): the period of darkness in a 24-hour cycle; a shorter or more general term than "night-time".

  • The night was cold and clear. (The dark period was cold and clear.)

• Nightly (adj/adv): happening or done every night.

  • He takes a nightly walk after dinner. (He walks every evening.)

Synonyms

• Darkness: the absence of light, especially at night.
• Evening: the early part of the night, usually from sunset to bedtime.
• Nightfall: the time at which darkness begins.

Antonyms

• Daytime: the period of daylight between sunrise and sunset.
• Daylight: the natural light of the sun during the day.

Related Idioms

• "the dead of night": the quietest, darkest part of the night, usually late.

  • The burglars broke in during the dead of night. (They entered in the deepest, most silent part of night-time.)

• "night owl": a person who is active late at night.

  • She's a night owl, so she prefers to work after midnight. (She stays awake and active during night-time hours.)