Standard Lemma guide

nighthawk

noun · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ˈnʌɪthɔːk/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • US: /ˈnaɪthɑk/
  • CMU ARPABET: N AY1 T HH AO2 K Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A nightjar, especially Caprimulgus europaeus (Eurasian nightjar).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, regional

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A New World nightjar of the genus Chordeiles, especially Chordeiles minor.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A person whose preference or custom is to remain awake and active during the night and the early morning hours.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A nighthawker (metal detectorist who works illegally at night).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

An unlicensed prostitute who worked the roadsides at night.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Japan, historical

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

mainly nocturnal North American goatsucker

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bullbat, mosquito hawk

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: goatsucker, nightjar, caprimulgid

7

noun

Meaning 7

a person who likes to be active late at night

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: night owl, nightbird

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: individualist

History

Etymology

From night + hawk.

Across languages

Translations

21 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: козодой (kozodoj) — Caprimulgus europaeus
  • Finnish: kehrääjä — Caprimulgus europaeus
  • French: engoulevent — Caprimulgus europaeus
  • Italian: nottolone — Caprimulgus europaeus
  • Italian: succiacapre — Caprimulgus europaeus
  • Italian: caprimulgo — Caprimulgus europaeus
  • Cherokee: ᎠᏒᏃᏱ (asvnoyi) — New World nightjar
  • Cherokee: ᎦᎵᏍᏙᏯ (galisdoya) — New World nightjar
  • Cheyenne: pe'e — New World nightjar
  • Finnish: haukkakehrääjä — New World nightjar
  • Finnish: isohaukkakehrääjä — New World nightjar
  • Icelandic: húmfari — New World nightjar
  • Italian: nottolone — New World nightjar
  • Italian: caprimulgo — New World nightjar
  • Italian: succiacapre — New World nightjar
  • Klamath-Modoc: c'asGiips — New World nightjar
  • Navajo: biizhii íiyisígíí — New World nightjar
  • Navajo: biizhii — New World nightjar
  • Spanish: chotacabras — New World nightjar
  • Taos: nų̀tòkeʼéna — New World nightjar
  • Unami: pishkw — New World nightjar
Real reading context

nighthawk in complete knowledge articles