Is Nighttime One Word? Nighttime vs. Night Time Explained

Nighttime is normally written as one word in American English.

It means the period when it is dark, generally from dusk until dawn. Major dictionaries list nighttime as a noun and also recognize its use before another noun.

Correct:

• The temperature drops during the nighttime.
• Avoid driving alone at nighttime.
• The city has a different atmosphere at nighttime.
• We heard several nighttime noises.

The hyphenated spelling night-time also appears, particularly in British English. The open form night time is less common in edited writing.

Quick Answer

Use nighttime as one word in standard American English:

• nighttime temperatures
• nighttime driving
• during the nighttime
• a nighttime routine

The spelling night-time is an accepted variant in some British dictionaries:

• night-time temperatures
• night-time activity

For a broad American audience, nighttime is the simplest and safest choice.

A useful memory rule is:

Daytime is one word, so nighttime can be one word too.

What Does Nighttime Mean?

Nighttime means the dark part of each 24-hour period.

Merriam-Webster defines it as the time from dusk to dawn, while Cambridge describes it as the period in each day when it is dark.

Examples:

• Some animals are more active during the nighttime.
• The roads become quieter at nighttime.
• Temperatures may fall sharply during the nighttime.
• The lights remain on throughout the nighttime.

The word can refer to the entire dark period or to conditions and activities associated with night.

Is Nighttime One Word or Two?

In American English, nighttime is generally written as one word.

Correct:

• nighttime
• nighttime activities
• nighttime temperatures
• nighttime driving

Less standard in American edited writing:

• night time
• night-time

Merriam-Webster, Cambridge’s main English dictionary, and Collins all list the closed form nighttime.

The open form night time may occasionally appear when a writer treats night and time as separate words, but the established noun is normally closed.

Is Night-Time Also Correct?

Yes. Night-time with a hyphen is an accepted variant, especially in British English.

Cambridge’s Learner’s Dictionary and Collins include the hyphenated form night-time.

Examples:

• Visibility is poor during the night-time.
• The area has strict night-time parking rules.
• Several night-time services are available.

This is largely a regional or editorial preference.

For American English, choose:

nighttime

For British English, you may see:

night-time

Whichever form you choose, use it consistently.

Nighttime vs. Night Time

The difference is mostly about standard spelling.

Form	Status	Best Use
Nighttime	Standard closed form	American and general English
Night-time	Accepted variant	Especially British English
Night time	Less common open form	Occasional literal use

Compare:

• The streets are quiet at nighttime.
• The streets are quiet at night-time.

Both sentences are understandable, though the first is more natural in American English.

The spelling night time is not usually necessary when referring to the established period of darkness.

Nighttime as a Noun

Nighttime can function as a noun naming a period of time.

Examples:

• The temperature falls at nighttime.
• Owls hunt during the nighttime.
• The park closes before nighttime.
• I prefer traveling in the daytime rather than the nighttime.

You can often replace it with night:

• The temperature falls at night.
• The temperature falls at nighttime.

In many ordinary sentences, at night sounds more natural and concise.

Nighttime Before a Noun

Nighttime can also appear before another noun.

Examples:

• nighttime driving
• nighttime temperatures
• nighttime noise
• nighttime routine
• nighttime security
• nighttime television

Merriam-Webster specifically recognizes nighttime as both a noun and an adjective.

Examples in sentences:

• Nighttime driving can be tiring.
• Her nighttime routine begins at ten.
• The building has additional nighttime security.
• We heard an unusual nighttime noise.

No hyphen is required when using the accepted one-word form.

Is It “At Night” or “At Nighttime”?

Both are grammatical, but at night is usually more natural.

Natural:

• The stars are visible at night.
• The store closes at night.
• It becomes colder at night.

Possible but less concise:

• The stars are visible at nighttime.
• The store closes at nighttime.

Use nighttime when you want to emphasize the period or when it modifies another noun:

• nighttime temperatures
• nighttime activity
• during the nighttime

Use at night for ordinary statements about when something happens.

Is It “In the Nighttime” or “At Nighttime”?

Both expressions can appear, but they may sound less natural than at night or during the night.

Examples:

• The animal hunts at nighttime.
• The animal hunts during the nighttime.
• The animal hunts at night.

The last version is usually the simplest.

The phrase in the nighttime may be used for emphasis, rhythm, or a literary effect:

• Strange sounds echoed through the woods in the nighttime.

In straightforward writing, consider using:

• at night
• during the night
• overnight

Is It Nighttime Routine or Night Time Routine?

The standard American spelling is:

nighttime routine

Examples:

• Reading is part of my nighttime routine.
• Her nighttime routine helps her relax.
• The children follow the same nighttime routine every evening.

In British writing, you may also see:

night-time routine

The open form night time routine is less clear because the words do not appear strongly connected.

Is It Nighttime Driving or Night-Time Driving?

Both forms can be correct, depending on regional style.

American spelling:

• nighttime driving

British variant:

• night-time driving

Examples:

• Nighttime driving requires extra attention.
• He avoids night-time driving whenever possible.

Do not switch between the closed and hyphenated forms in the same article.

Is It Nighttime or Daytime?

Both nighttime and daytime are normally written as one word in American English.

Examples:

• Daytime temperatures are warm.
• Nighttime temperatures are cooler.
• The store offers both daytime and nighttime shifts.

The pair can help you remember the spelling:

• day + time = daytime
• night + time = nighttime

Because daytime is clearly one word, it is easier to remember that nighttime follows the same pattern.

Nighttime vs. Night

Night and nighttime are closely related, but night is more common and flexible.

Use night in everyday phrases:

• at night
• last night
• every night
• during the night
• a cold night

Use nighttime when emphasizing the dark period or modifying a noun:

• nighttime activity
• nighttime temperatures
• nighttime security
• during the nighttime

Compare:

• The temperature falls at night.
• Nighttime temperatures are lower.

The first sentence uses night as a time expression. The second uses nighttime to describe the temperatures.

Nighttime in a Sentence

Examples:

• The desert becomes cold at nighttime.
• Some flowers open only during the nighttime.
• The hospital employs additional nighttime staff.
• We created a calming nighttime routine.
• Bright lights can disturb nighttime wildlife.
• The town is peaceful during the nighttime.
• The road has limited visibility at nighttime.
• The children were frightened by the nighttime storm.

Is Nighttime Capitalized?

No. Nighttime is a common noun and is normally lowercase.

Correct:

• nighttime
• nighttime routine
• during the nighttime

Capitalize it only when it begins a sentence or appears in an official title.

Examples:

• Nighttime temperatures fell below freezing.
• The documentary is titled Nighttime in the City.

Common Misspellings

Common spelling variations and errors include:

• night time
• night-time
• nightime
• nightt ime

Accepted forms include:

• nighttime
• night-time, as a regional variant

The spelling nightime is incorrect because it leaves out the second t created when night and time are joined.

Correct structure:

night + time = nighttime

How to Remember the Spelling

Break the word into its two original parts:

night + time

When joined, both parts keep their complete spelling:

• night
• time
• nighttime

Do not remove a t.

You can also connect it with daytime:

• daytime
• nighttime

A simple memory sentence is:

Daytime and nighttime stay together.

Final Answer

Nighttime is normally one word, especially in American English.

Examples:

• nighttime temperatures
• nighttime driving
• a nighttime routine
• during the nighttime

The hyphenated form night-time is also accepted, particularly in British English.

For most American writing, choose:

nighttime

Remember:

Daytime is one word, and nighttime is one word too.