Word: Midnight

Pronunciation

/ˌmɪdˈnaɪt/

Definitions

• Noun: The middle of the night, occurring at 12 o’clock after sunset and before sunrise, usually considered the transition point between one day and the next. For example: “The train arrives at midnight.”

Example sentence: “We’re throwing a midnight party to celebrate New Year’s Eve.”

• Adjective: Referring to or happening at the time of midnight. For example: “The clock struck midnight, signaling the start of a new day.”

Example sentence: “There’s a midnight showing of the movie at the local cinema.”

Phrases

• “At midnight”: This phrase denotes something happening precisely at 12 o’clock at night. Example: “The full moon rose at midnight.”
• “Midnight oil”: Idiomatically referring to working late into the night, often beyond usual bedtime. Example: “To finish the project on time, we had to burn the midnight oil for several nights.”
• “Midnight snack”: A light meal or snack eaten late at night, typically around midnight. Example: “I couldn’t resist having a midnight snack before going to bed.”

Example Sentences

• Noun: “It was already past midnight when they finally wrapped up their discussion.”
• Adjective: “The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs during summer solstice in certain regions.”

Synonyms

• 12 o’clock at night
• Dead of night
• Witching hour
• Nocturnal hour
• Late-night
• Bedtime (in some contexts)
• Darkness (figurative)