What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nightly
Example
She reads a book nightly before going to bed. [nightly: adverb]
Example
The nightly news is on at 11 pm. [nightly: adjective]
nocturnal
Example
Owls are nocturnal creatures. [nocturnal: adjective]
Example
The club has a nocturnal atmosphere with music and dancing all night long. [nocturnal: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nightly is more common in everyday language than nocturnal. It is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while nocturnal is more specific and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nightly and nocturnal?
Both nightly and nocturnal are neutral in terms of formality. However, nocturnal may be more formal due to its Latin origin and scientific usage in biology and ecology.
