nightcap

noun

night·​cap ˈnīt-ˌkap How to pronounce nightcap (audio)
Synonyms of nightcapnext
1
: a cloth cap worn with nightclothes
2
: a usually alcoholic drink taken at the end of the day
3
: the final race or contest of a day's sports
especially : the second game of a baseball doubleheader

Examples of nightcap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Afterwards, everyone was lured by the sound of salsa music into Bar Lelarge for a nightcap before scattering around the hotel. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026 Hence the gorgeous moment when Mi-ok joins Ho-seok for a nightcap under the stars—secret moonshine—and affirms that, in the face of insurmountable problems, enduring them together is their only solution. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026 And Trifecta, an elegant ground-floor lobby bar specializing in mixology, is a fantastic place for a nightcap. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 After a day spent getting your steps in at Regent’s Park or boutique hopping in South Ken, there’s nothing better than a long soak in a roll top tub and a fireside nightcap in the lounge. — Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nightcap

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nightcap was in the 14th century

Rhymes for nightcap

See All Rhymes for nightcap

Browse Nearby Words

night bolt
nightcap
night cart
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Cite this Entry

“Nightcap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nightcap. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nightcap

noun
night·​cap ˈnīt-ˌkap How to pronounce nightcap (audio)
1
: a cap worn with nightclothes
2
: a drink taken at bedtime
3
: the final race or contest of a day's sports activities

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