moonlight

1 of 2

noun

moon·​light ˈmün-ˌlīt How to pronounce moonlight (audio)
: the light of the moon

moonlight

2 of 2

verb

moonlighted; moonlighting

intransitive verb

: to hold a second job in addition to a regular one
moonlighter noun

Examples of moonlight in a Sentence

Noun A figure appeared in the moonlight. Verb She is a secretary who moonlights as a waitress on weekends.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Top notes of black cherry and cherry liqueur get a bitter edge with almond, while jasmine, sandalwood, vetiver, and cedarwood add a sultry, woodsy edge—as if cherries sprang from moonlight forests instead of sunlit orchards. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024 With the start of moonlight farming, the harvest moon was born. Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024
Verb
In his early twenties, Taylor moonlighted as a local bar singer, doing funk, rock, and soul covers and getting paid in drinks while keeping his day job as a preschool and elementary school teacher. Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2024 The model, who moonlights as an internet personality, was a bombshell in a shimmering silver set paired with plush, padded angel wings. Violet Goldstone, WWD, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for moonlight 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'moonlight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from moonlighter

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of moonlight was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near moonlight

Cite this Entry

“Moonlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moonlight. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

moonlight

1 of 2 noun
moon·​light -ˌlīt How to pronounce moonlight (audio)
: the light of the moon

moonlight

2 of 2 verb
: to work at a second job in addition to a regular one
moonlighter noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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