noun
moonlight
MOON-lyt
noun
1
The light given off by the moon.
"They walked along the shore by moonlight."
"The lake looked silver in the moonlight."
verb
1
To work a second job, often at night, in addition to one's main job.
"She moonlights as a bartender to help pay off her student loans."
How to Use Moonlight
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLight from the moon, or (as a verb) working a second job on the side.
Common mistake
The verb "moonlight" refers to a second job, not literally working under the moon — you can moonlight during the day too.
Common pairings
bathed in moonlight
moonlight as a
moonlight walk
Word Forms
moonlighted past tense, moonlights plural, moonlights singular
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Etymology
From Middle English monelight, a compound of moon and light; the verb sense developed later, from the image of doing extra work after dark once the main job was done.