night

Night refers to the period of darkness in each 24-hour day, usually from sunset to sunrise, when the sun is below the horizon. In the most common sense, it is the time when people sleep, rest, or stay indoors, though many people also work, travel, study, or go out during these hours. The word can point to a specific time, as in "last night" or "tomorrow night," or to the general dark part of the day, as in "animals hunt at night."

In everyday English, this word appears in many common phrases. We say "late at night" for very late hours, "in the middle of the night" for a very late and often quiet time, and "good night" when parting before sleep. We also contrast it with day to show a strong difference, as in "like night and day." In this way, the word is both practical and expressive.

Beyond its basic meaning, night often carries a feeling or mood. It may suggest peace, silence, rest, privacy, fear, mystery, or romance, depending on the context. Stories often use night to create atmosphere, whether that means a calm sky full of stars, an empty street, or a tense and shadowy scene. Because of these many uses, the word covers both a simple time of day and a rich part of human experience.