French word

nocturne

Pronunciation

IPA/nɔktyʁn/

Meaning

  • adjectivenighttime

Example

Il y a des activités nocturnes en ville.

There are nighttime activities in the city.

Illustration for nocturne (nighttime)

More examples

Le musée propose une visite nocturne le vendredi.

The museum offers a nighttime tour on Friday.

Core concept

A label for things tied to the night, from late-hour activities and schedules to a nighttime mood.

Common phrases

  • activité nocturne

    nighttime activity

  • vie nocturne

    nightlife

Similar words

diurne: Related to the daytime or occurring during daylight hours.
obscur: Dark or difficult to see clearly, or lacking clarity.

Definition in French

Qui se rapporte à la partie nocturne de la journée; souvent employé pour qualifier une activité, un horaire ou une ambiance.

Word origin

French nocturne comes from Latin nocturnus, formed from nox, noctis ('night') with -urnus, and passed through Old French with the sense 'belonging to the night'.

Usage tips

  • As an adjective, nocturne agrees in gender and number: activité nocturne, horaires nocturnes, and ambiance nocturne.

Other meanings

  • nocturnenoun
  • late openingnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word