Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

nighthawk

/ˈnaɪthɑk/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.53 in modern English

Syllables
nighthawk
IPA
/ˈnaɪthɑk/
23
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
2
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A nightjar, especially Caprimulgus europaeus (Eurasian nightjar).

British usage

noun

A New World nightjar of the genus Chordeiles, especially Chordeiles minor.

American usage

noun

A person whose preference or custom is to remain awake and active during the night and the early morning hours.

noun

A nighthawker (metal detectorist who works illegally at night).

noun

An unlicensed prostitute who worked the roadsides at night.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From night + hawk.

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈnaɪthɑk/
  • British English: /ˈnʌɪthɔːk/

Usage

Inflected Forms

nighthawks (plural)

Derived Forms

nighthawking

Phrases

Antillean nighthawk common nighthawk least nighthawk lesser nighthawk Nacunda nighthawk sand-colored nighthawk

Synonyms

bullbat nightjar night owl night person mosquito hawk nightbird

Questions

How do you pronounce nighthawk?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈnaɪthɑk/.
What does nighthawk mean?
A nightjar, especially Caprimulgus europaeus (Eurasian nightjar).
Where does nighthawk come from?
From night + hawk.

How to pronounce nighthawk

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “nighthawk”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈnaɪthɑk/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “nighthawk”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “nighthawk” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.