Diurnal Meaning
/daɪˈɜːnəl/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjHappening or occurring during daylight, or primarily active during that time.
adjSaid of a flower that is open, or releasing its perfume during daylight hours, but not at night.
Sentence Examples
Cheetahs are diurnal because their hunting technique relies on sight.
Degus make lovely pets: they are diurnal and hence are awake when you are.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ creatures are most active when the sun is shining.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Cheetahs are ____ because their hunting technique relies on sight.
Word Origin & History
From Latin diurnālis, from diēs (“day”). Doublet of journal.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"However, in general, lizards are more diurnal than rattlers, which may be one of the reasons why young rattlers are more diurnal than adults."
— 1972, Laurence Monroe Klauber, Rattlesnakes: Their Habits, Life Histories, and Influence on Mankind, Volume 1:
"Ere twice the horses of the sun shall bring / Their fiery torcher his diurnal ring."
— c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene v]:
"He was by birth, some authors write, / A Russian, some a Muscovite, / And 'mong the Cossacks had been bred, / Of whom we in diurnals read."
— 1663, Samuel Butler, Hudibras, part 1, canto 2:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ creatures are most active when the sun is shining.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Cheetahs are ____ because their hunting technique relies on sight.