daytime
gb/dˈeɪtˌaɪm/ us/dˈeɪtˌaɪm/
A2
English
~ 9400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
the hours of light in a day
The time of day when it is light outside, not night.
Usage pattern:
[something] happens in the daytime
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"in the day"* when they mean the period of light, but this can sound vague. Use "in the daytime" or "during the day" to clearly mean the time when it is light outside.
Synonyms
daylight (Focuses more on the light itself, while "daytime" focuses on the time period.)
|
day (More general and can mean a 24-hour period; "daytime" is only the light part.)
Antonyms
nighttime (Refers to the dark period of the day, opposite to the light hours of "daytime".)
|
night (The dark part of the 24-hour cycle, contrasted with the light period of "daytime".)
Collocations
during the daytime
|in the daytime
|daytime temperatures
|daytime hours
|daytime noise
|daytime sky
Themes
daily life
|nature
|time
|weather
Examples
- Owls usually sleep during the daytime and hunt at night.
- The city feels much safer in the daytime than after dark.
- Daytime temperatures can reach 35°C in the summer here.
- You can clearly see the mountains in the daytime, but not at night.
- The park is open only in the daytime for security reasons.
Learner examples
- It is very hot in the daytime.
- We went to the beach in the daytime.
- Bats hide in the daytime and fly at night.
- The shop is only open in the daytime.
- I prefer to travel in the daytime.
adjective
B1
property
2
happening during the day
Happening or used in the part of the day when it is light, not at night.
Usage pattern:
daytime [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "day" instead of "daytime" before certain nouns, saying *"day TV"* or *"day job"* for schedules, which can sound odd or change meaning. Use "daytime TV" and "daytime job" for things that happen during daylight hours.
Synonyms
day (Used before some nouns (e.g. "day shift"), but less general; "daytime" can modify a wider range of nouns like "TV" or "job".)
|
daytime-only (More explicit that something is limited to the daytime, often in regulations or descriptions.)
Antonyms
nighttime (Describes things that happen or operate at night, opposite to "daytime" activities or services.)
|
overnight (Refers to things happening through the night, contrasting with things that occur only in the daytime.)
Collocations
daytime job
|daytime television
|daytime flight
|daytime activities
|daytime schedule
|daytime classes
Themes
daily life
|work
|media
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She prefers a daytime job so she can spend evenings with her family.
- Daytime television is often filled with talk shows and soap operas.
- I booked a daytime flight because I don’t like flying at night.
- The museum offers special daytime activities for children during the holidays.
- The clinic has a daytime and an overnight emergency team.
Learner examples
- He has a daytime job in an office.
- I watch daytime TV when I stay at home.
- We chose a daytime flight to see the view.
- This city has a good daytime bus service.
- The restaurant has a special daytime menu.
Grammar
Dictionary form
daytime
IPA
GB/dˈeɪtˌaɪm/
US/dˈeɪtˌaɪm/
Syllables & stress
day - time (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (day)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: daytime
- Plural: daytime
Word family
Expressions
daytime hours
1/dˈeɪtˌaɪm ˈaʊɚz/
fixed phrase
the hours that are in daytime
The hours in a day when it is light and people usually work or study.
Examples
- The library is only open during daytime hours.
- Traffic is heavier during daytime hours than late at night.
daytime job
1/dˈeɪtˌaɪm d͡ʒˈɑb/
fixed phrase
job with daytime hours
A job where you work in the day and are free at night.
Examples
- After years of night shifts, he finally found a daytime job.
- She wants a daytime job so she can be home with her children in the evenings.
daytime television
1/dˈeɪtˌaɪm tˈɛləvˌɪʒən/
fixed phrase
television programming in the daytime
Television programs that are shown in the day, usually on weekdays.
Examples
- He became famous as a host on daytime television.
- Many advertisements on daytime television are aimed at parents and older viewers.
daytime TV
1/dˈeɪtˌaɪm tˈi vˈi/
fixed phrase
television shows aired by day
Television shows that are on during the day, often when many adults are at work.
Examples
- She likes to watch daytime TV while she works from home.
- Daytime TV is usually full of talk shows and game shows.
during the daytime
1/dˈʊɹɪŋ ðə dˈeɪtˌaɪm/
fixed phrase
through some or all daylight hours
For some or all of the time when it is light outside.
Examples
- Children should not be left alone at home during the daytime.
- The streets are busy during the daytime but quiet at night.
in the daytime
1/ˈɪn ðə dˈeɪtˌaɪm/
fixed phrase
during the light part of the day
During the time when it is light outside, not at night.
Examples
- It’s safer to hike in the daytime than after dark.
- The store is only open in the daytime, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.