nightly

nightly — adjective

1. happening, done, or present each night, especially during the late-night hours a

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

happening, done, or present each night, especially during the late-night hours after dark.

Example

The hotel offers a nightly turn-down service with chocolates on the pillows.

attributive use: nightly + noun (service)

Mayumi's nightly skincare routine takes about twenty minutes before bed.

collocation: nightly routine

Common collocations
  • nightly routine
  • nightly news
  • nightly patrol
  • nightly ritual
  • nightly broadcast
Synonyms
  • nocturnal

    more scientific or formal; describes what happens during the night rather than what happens every night

  • night-time

    hyphenated compound; often used as an adjective before nouns, less formal

Antonyms
  • daytime

    happening during the day rather than at night

Grammar Patterns

nightly + noun

Common Mistakes

She has a night walk every day.
She has a nightly walk every day.
'nightly' is the adjective form; 'night walk' is acceptable but less idiomatic for a regular habit.

2. happening each evening, typically during the earlier hours before it gets fully

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

happening each evening, typically during the earlier hours before it gets fully dark.

Example

The Kim family gathers for a nightly dinner at seven o'clock.

attributive use: nightly + noun (dinner)

A nightly walk along the river is Soraya's favourite way to unwind.

Common collocations
  • nightly dinner
  • nightly walk
  • nightly performance
  • nightly phone call
  • nightly meal
Synonyms
  • evening

    used as an adjective only informally ('evening meal'); 'nightly' implies regularity

  • sundown

    poetic or literary; refers specifically to the time when the sun goes down

Grammar Patterns

nightly + noun

nightly — adverb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Nightly', 'every night', and 'each night' all describe something that happens once per night. 'Every night' is the most common in everyday conversation ('I brush my teeth every night'). 'Nightly' sounds slightly more formal and is common in writing or scheduled announcements ('the show runs nightly'). 'Each night' emphasises every single night individually, often used when describing a routine that repeats without exception ('each night she checks the doors'). 'At night' refers to the general time period rather than frequency ('it gets cold at night'). Use 'nightly' or 'every night' for frequency; use 'at night' to describe when something normally occurs.

nightly ↗every nighteach nightat night

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • nightly basis

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Nightly' comes from Old English 'nihtlic' (adjective, 'of or relating to night') and 'nihtlice' (adverb, 'by night, every night'). The word combines 'niht' (night) with the suffix '-lic' (which later became '-ly'). The '-ly' suffix here serves two functions: it turns the noun 'night' into an adjective meaning 'happening every night', and also into an adverb meaning 'on each night'. The word has been used in English since before the 12th century and has stayed close to its original meaning.