nighthawk
/ˈnaɪthɑk/noun
nighthawk is spelled N-I-G-H-T-H-A-W-K: 9 letters and 2 syllables. It appears about once in every 3 million words in written English, the 51,129th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, nighthawk means “A nightjar, especially Caprimulgus europaeus (Eurasian nightjar)” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of nighthawk is nighthawks.
How many letters and syllables are in nighthawk?
| Letters | 9: N-I-G-H-T-H-A-W-K |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 3 million words; the 51,129th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is nighthawk?
Nighthawk appears about once in every 3 million words in written English, the 51,129th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce nighthawk?
- UK /ˈnʌɪthɔːk/
- US /ˈnaɪthɑk/
Nighthawk has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-nighthawk.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Words people confuse with nighthawk
Also written: night hawk (one word or two).
Sources: English Wiktionary (homophones, alternative spellings).
Forms of nighthawk
- nighthawks plural
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does nighthawk mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
UKA nightjar, especially Caprimulgus europaeus (Eurasian nightjar).
- 2
USA New World nightjar of the genus Chordeiles, especially Chordeiles minor.
- 3
A person whose preference or custom is to remain awake and active during the night and the early morning hours.
- 4
A nighthawker (metal detectorist who works illegally at night).
- 5
An unlicensed prostitute who worked the roadsides at night.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Nighthawk in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | engoulevent |
| Spanish | chotacabras |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does nighthawk come from?
From night + hawk.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).