“Nighttime” (one word) and “night time” (two words) mean the exact same thing: the period of darkness between dusk and dawn.
The difference is a matter of spelling and standard usage rather than meaning.
This guide breaks down exactly when to use each form.
What Does “Nighttime” Mean?
Nighttime is the modern, standard, and preferred spelling in both American and British English. It functions smoothly as a noun or an adjective.
Example: “It is quiet at nighttime.”
Common uses of “nighttime” in everyday writing:
- “Nighttime security patrols the building.”
- “The city feels different at nighttime.”
- “She prefers nighttime workouts.”
“Nighttime” in Different Writing Contexts
What Does “Night Time” Mean?
Night time (two words) is an older, open form that is much less common today. People will still understand it, but dictionaries and style guides generally recommend avoiding it in formal writing.
Example: “We arrived during the night time.”
You may also occasionally see a third form, night-time (hyphenated), in British publications or traditional style guides — though it’s fading in modern writing.
Where “Night Time” and “Night-Time” Still Appear
Usage Guidelines
Nighttime: Use this for standard writing, such as “nighttime hours” or “operating at nighttime.”
Night time: Avoid this two-word version — major dictionaries and style guides prefer the single closed compound word.
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Phrases
Synonyms for nighttime: night, after dark, evening, nightfall, dark hours.
Antonyms: daytime, daylight, dawn.
Related phrases: “nighttime hours” (the general span of night), “nighttime routine” (habits before sleep), “broad daylight” (the direct opposite of nighttime).
Memory Tip
The easiest way to remember which form to trust:
Nighttime — think “daytime.” Just like daytime is always written as one word, nighttime follows the same closed-compound pattern.
Night time — think “outdated.” The two-word spacing is the older style, fading out of modern formal writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is nighttime one word or two?
Nighttime is written as one word in modern, standard English. It’s the form recommended by major dictionaries and style guides.
Is it nighttime or night time?
Nighttime is correct for standard and formal writing. “Night time” is an older two-word form that’s now uncommon.
Is it nighttime or night time in the Oxford Dictionary?
Oxford, like Merriam-Webster and Collins, lists nighttime as the standard closed-compound spelling.
What is the difference between “night” and “nighttime”?
Night refers broadly to the dark part of the day, while nighttime specifically emphasizes the period or hours of darkness, often used as an adjective too.
Is nighttime all one word?
Yes. Nighttime is a single closed compound word — no space, no hyphen — in modern usage.
Does nighttime have two ts?
Yes. It’s spelled n-i-g-h-t-t-i-m-e, with the “t” from “night” and the “t” from “time” both included.
Conclusion
Nighttime is the correct, standard spelling in modern English, working as both a noun and an adjective. Night time and night-time still appear occasionally, but they’re fading from formal writing. When in doubt, write it as one word.
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