nocturne

noun

noc·​turne ˈnäk-ˌtərn How to pronounce nocturne (audio)
: a work of art dealing with evening or night
especially : a dreamy pensive composition for the piano compare aubade sense 3

Examples of nocturne 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.
Saturday’s concert pairs the Chopin with two barcarolles and a nocturne by Fauré. — oregonlive, 15 Jan. 2023 The Gershwin took a while to hit its stride and was never totally immune to stalling, but the hazy urban nocturne of the second movement was a high point. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2023 All evening, Wyeth had been listening to an album of nocturnes by the composer John Field, performed by the pianist Benjamin Frith. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025 As the lights in the room dimmed, and a twinkling Chopin nocturne piped softly from the speakers, a model in one of Browne’s short suits began slowly walking laps around the room, occasionally pausing to check his watch. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for nocturne

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, noun derivative of nocturne "of the night," going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin nocturnus — more at nocturnal

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nocturne was in 1814

Rhymes for nocturne

See All Rhymes for nocturne

Browse Nearby Words

nocturnality
nocturne
nocuous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nocturne.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nocturne. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nocturne

noun
noc·​turne ˈnäk-ˌtərn How to pronounce nocturne (audio)
: a work of art dealing with evening or night
especially : a dreamy composition for the piano

More from Merriam-Webster on nocturne

Nglish: Translation of nocturne for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nocturne

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