moonlight

Meaning

Noun

The light reflected from the Moon.

Verb

1. To work on the side (at a secondary job), often in the evening or during the night.
2. (broadly) To engage in an activity other than what one is known for.
3. (broadly) To perform a secondary function substantially different from its supposed primary function, as in protein moonlighting.
4. (British, dated) To carry out undeclared work.

Synonyms

moonshine

moonbeam

moon

🌔

Moon

🌔

moonbeams

gloaming

moonlit

moonstone

nocturnal

shine

twilight

shine brightly

golden waves

calendula

moon’s rays

effulgence

firelight

full moon

🌕

gleam

Translations

clair de lune

Mondlicht

Mondschein

chiaro di luna

luz de la luna

luar

mehtap

φεγγαρόφωτο

σεληνόφωτο

ay ışığı

luce lunare

lume di luna

maanlicht

claro de luna

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈmunˌlaɪt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: monelight

Inherited from Old English: mōnan lēoht

Cognate with Scots: munelicht

Cognate with Western Frisian: moanneljocht

Cognate with Dutch: maanlicht

Cognate with German: Mondlicht

In summary

From Middle English monelight, from Old English mōnan lēoht (“moonlight”, literally “moon's light, light of the moon”). Equivalent to moon + light. Cognate with Scots munelicht ~ muinlicht, West Frisian moanneljocht, Dutch maanlicht, German Mondlicht.