WordGarden.iomidnight
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈɪdnaɪt/
US
- /ˈmɪdˌnaɪt/
Meanings
Noun
twelve o'clock at night; the middle of the night
Adjective
happening at, relating to, or active around midnight
very dark blue, black, or nearly black in color
Beyond the definition
Midnight isn't just a point on the clock; it's a moment steeped in mystery and often associated with secrets, dreams, and quiet stillness. It marks the transition from one day to the next—a liminal space between endings and beginnings. Think of Cinderella: everything changed at the stroke of midnight!
The word is also used figuratively. A "midnight snack" is a late-night treat, and one "burns the midnight oil" when staying up very late working or studying. In storytelling, it is a powerful tool for creating atmosphere, whether it's a secret meeting held under the cover of darkness or the haunting chime of a clock striking twelve.
Midnight is 12:00 AM, the exact moment when one day ends and the next begins, even though it still feels like deep night. It is more than just a point on the clock; it is a symbolic moment filled with cultural meaning. Fairy tales often use midnight as a turning point, a deadline for magic to end, as in the famous scene where Cinderella's carriage changes back into a pumpkin at the final stroke of the clock.
The term comes from the Old English midniht, literally meaning "middle of the night." Historically, it was an important time for religious observances and folklore. In many traditions, midnight is seen as the "witching hour," a time when the line between the physical and supernatural worlds is thought to be at its thinnest.
Beyond its literal meaning, "midnight" can describe things that happen at that hour or around that time. A "midnight phone call" often suggests urgency or unexpected news. The common idiom "burning the midnight oil" brings to mind the image of a flickering lamp as someone works long after others have gone to sleep. From the countdown on New Year's Eve to the eerie settings of gothic novels, midnight holds a unique place in our imagination, a moment when the world feels quiet, strange, and full of possibility.
Examples
- 1
Getting home
We got home just before midnight.
- 2
Celebration time
The fireworks started at midnight.
- 3
Late work
She was still awake after midnight, finishing her report.
- 4
Deadline
Please send me the final draft by midnight.
- Patternby + time
no later than that time
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Sleep interruption
I woke up around midnight and couldn't get back to sleep.
- 6
Late snack
We shared a midnight snack after the long drive.
- 7
Exact moment
At the stroke of midnight, everyone in the square began to cheer.
- Phraseat the stroke of midnight
exactly when midnight begins
- 8
Working late
I've been burning the midnight oil all week to get this project done.
- Phraseburn the midnight oil
work very late into the night
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- midnightnoun