A1 noun Neutral #1,274 most common

midnight

/ˈmɪdˌnaɪt/

Midnight is twelve o'clock at night, marking the transition from one day to the next. It is the point in time when the night is at its middle and a new date officially begins.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I usually go to sleep before midnight so I can wake up early.

I usually go to sleep before midnight so I can wake up early.

2

The new law will come into effect at midnight on January 1st.

The new law will come into effect at midnight on January 1st.

3

We were still dancing at midnight!

We were still dancing at midnight!

Word Family

Noun
midnight
Adjective
midnight
Related
night
💡

Memory Tip

Remember that 'mid' means middle and 'night' means night. It is simply the middle of the night.

Quick Quiz

The fireworks started exactly ___ midnight.

Correct!

The correct answer is: at

Examples

1

I usually go to sleep before midnight so I can wake up early.

everyday

I usually go to sleep before midnight so I can wake up early.

2

The new law will come into effect at midnight on January 1st.

formal

The new law will come into effect at midnight on January 1st.

3

We were still dancing at midnight!

informal

We were still dancing at midnight!

4

The astronomical observation was recorded precisely at midnight.

academic

The astronomical observation was recorded precisely at midnight.

5

Please ensure the report is submitted by midnight today.

business

Please ensure the report is submitted by midnight today.

Word Family

Noun
midnight
Adjective
midnight
Related
night

Common Collocations

at midnight at midnight
midnight snack midnight snack
past midnight past midnight
around midnight around midnight
before midnight before midnight

Common Phrases

burn the midnight oil

to work late into the night

midnight blue

a very dark shade of blue

stroke of midnight

exactly at 12:00 AM

Often Confused With

midnight vs noon

Midnight is 12:00 at night, whereas noon is 12:00 during the day.

📝

Usage Notes

The word 'midnight' is almost always used with the preposition 'at'. It functions as both a point in time and an adjective.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Many learners say 'in the midnight' or 'on midnight', but the correct English phrase is always 'at midnight'.

💡

Memory Tip

Remember that 'mid' means middle and 'night' means night. It is simply the middle of the night.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Old English 'midniht', combining 'mid' (middle) and 'niht' (night).

Grammar Patterns

Used with the preposition 'at' Functions as an uncountable noun in most contexts Can be used as an attributive adjective (e.g., midnight sun)
🌍

Cultural Context

In many Western stories like Cinderella, midnight is a magical time when spells break or supernatural events occur.

Quick Quiz

The fireworks started exactly ___ midnight.

Correct!

The correct answer is: at

Related Phrases

More Time words

dinner time

A1

Dinner time is the period of the day when people usually eat their main meal, typically in the evening. It can also refer to the specific clock time when a family or group sits down to eat together.

hour

A1

A unit of time that lasts for sixty minutes. There are twenty-four of these units in one full day.

century

A1

A century is a period of 100 years. It is a common unit of time used to group historical events and long durations.

interval

A1

An interval is a period of time between two events or actions. It can also describe the space between two objects or musical notes.

era

A1

An era is a long and distinct period of history with a particular feature or characteristic. It is used to group years together based on a specific theme, person, or invention.

age

A1

Age refers to the amount of time a person has lived or an object has existed. It is also used to describe a particular period in history or a stage of life.

Wednesday

A1

Wednesday is the third day of the work week, occurring between Tuesday and Thursday. It is generally considered the middle of the standard five-day working week.

Friday

A1

Friday is the fifth day of the week, falling between Thursday and Saturday. In many Western cultures, it is the final day of the standard work and school week.

weekday

A1

A weekday is any day of the week except Saturday and Sunday. These are typically the days when people go to work or school, covering Monday through Friday.

tomorrow

A1

The day that occurs immediately after the present day. It is used to refer to the near future or a specific date following today.

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