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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Night Meaning: Darkness, Despair, and Usage Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：time of darkness (night)

night 🔊

/naɪt/

the time when it is dark outside and most people sleep, between sunset and sunrise.

Night city skyline at dusk with stars and warm lights reflecting on river

time of darkness 🔊

➕

/taɪm əv ˈdɑːrknəs/

The period from sunset to sunrise when the sky is dark, typically associated with rest and sleep.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'niht', cognate with German 'Nacht' and Latin 'nox'.

💡 Mnemonic

Picture the letter 'N' covering the 'light' — N + light = night, meaning no sunlight.

📖 Example

I stayed up late last night to finish my homework. 🔊 I stayed up late last night to finish my homework.

🔗 Collocations

at night – during the nighttime

night shift – a work period during the night

night owl – a person who stays awake late at night

🔄 Synonyms

darkness (n.) – the state of being dark, especially at night

nighttime (n.) – the time between evening and morning

dusk (n.) – the time of day when light is fading, just before night

🚫 Antonyms

day (n.) – the time of light between sunrise and sunset

daylight (n.) – the natural light of the day

sunshine (n.) – the light and warmth from the sun

🌱 Derivatives

nightly (adj./adv.) – happening every night

nightmare (n.) – a frightening dream during sleep

nightfall (n.) – the onset of night; dusk

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Old English 'niht', 'night' appears in idioms like 'dead of night' and 'night watch'. In Greek mythology, Nyx personified night, reflecting its cultural significance as a time of mystery and rest.

Meaning 2：time of despair (night)

night 🔊

/naɪt/

a difficult, sad, or hopeless period of time, like being in darkness.

Person sitting alone at desk in dim room with lamp, contemplative mood

time of despair 🔊

➕

/taɪm əv dɪˈspɛr/

A metaphorical extended period of sadness, difficulty, or hopelessness, often referred to as a 'dark night of the soul'.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

After losing his job, he went through a very dark night of the soul, but eventually found a new path. 🔊 After losing his job, he went through a very dark night of the soul, but eventually found a new path.

🔗 Collocations

dark night of the soul – a period of profound spiritual crisis and despair

night of despair – a time of extreme hopelessness

through the night – enduring a difficult period until it ends

🔄 Synonyms

hardship (n.) – a state of severe difficulty or suffering

suffering (n.) – the state of experiencing pain or distress

ordeal (n.) – a severe or difficult experience

🚫 Antonyms

bliss (n.) – perfect happiness and joy

prosperity (n.) – a state of being successful and flourishing

daylight (n.) – light and clarity, metaphorically a period of relief

🌱 Derivatives

nightmarish (adj.) – extremely frightening or unpleasant, like a nightmare

darkness (n.) – the absence of light, used metaphorically for despair