moonlight

1 of 2

noun

moon·​light ˈmün-ˌlīt 

: 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

Working on The Northman taught everyone a lot of lessons for Nosferatu, including the best way to replicate moonlight on modern film stock for cinematographer Jarin Blaschke. —Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024

Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston play the gothic patriarch and matriarch roles with unmatched passion, whispering sweet nothings in the moonlight (many related to death). —Lee Escobedo, EW.com, 7 Oct. 2024

Verb

As further evidence of government surveillance insiders moonlighting in the data broker market, the SpyCloud researchers point to a leak earlier this year of communications and documents from I-Soon, a cyberespionage contractor to the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of State Security. —Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024

Adams plays a housewife and mother who moonlights (pun intended — deal with it) as a shape-shifting wild dog. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2024

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

Phrases Containing moonlight

• do a moonlight flit

Kids Definition

moonlight

1 of 2 noun

moon·​light -ˌlīt 

: the light of the moon

moonlight

2 of 2 verb

: to work at a second job in addition to a regular one

moonlighter noun