A1noun3K

Midnight

UK /["/ˈmɪdnaɪt/"]/US /["/ˈmɪdnaɪt/"]/

Definition

12 o’clock at night

In simple words: The middle of the night, 12:00 AM.

Examples

  • The clock struck midnight, and the party officially began.
  • She always feels more creative at midnight than during the day.
  • The movie will start at midnight, so we should leave soon.
  • He has a habit of going for a run at midnight.
  • They agreed to meet at midnight by the fountain.

Usage notes

Use 'midnight' when referring to the exact time of 12:00 AM. It's commonly used in both spoken and written English. Avoid using it to refer to times shortly before or after 12:00 AM.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'midnight' as the 'middle' of the night — it's when the clock strikes twelve!

Collocations

  • chime
  • strike
  • strike
  • approach
  • come
  • feast
  • snack
  • black
  • approaching midnight
  • around midnight
  • near midnight
  • at the stroke of midnight

Synonyms

  • 12 AM
  • dusk
  • nighttime

Antonyms

  • midday
  • noon

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'noon', which is 12:00 PM.
  • Using it to mean any late night time, instead of just 12:00 AM.
  • Not capitalizing 'Midnight' when starting a sentence.