What does "diurnal" mean?
A flower that opens only in the day.
Diurnal
/daɪˈɜːnəl/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A flower that opens only in the day.
- Grammar: diurnal is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: annual, biannual, biennial, bimonthly.
- Useful contrasts: nightly, nighttime, nocturnal.
- Usage evidence: The net gravitational field at any point on the surface of the earth is the sum of the gravitational fields of all the masses in the universe; hence it displays diurnal and seasonal variations and variations with the phases of the moon and Jupiter; and those variations vary with latitude: if you live far from the poles, you weigh more at night.
How to use "diurnal"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "diurnal" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "diurnal" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "diurnal" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "diurnal" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "diurnal" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "annual" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "diurnal", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A flower that opens only in the day.
- 2 A book containing canonical offices performed during the day, hence not matins.
- 3 A diary or journal. archaic
"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."
- 4 A daily news publication. archaic
Adjective
- 1 Happening or occurring during daylight, or primarily active during that time. not-comparable
"Most birds are diurnal."
- 2 Said of a flower that is open, or releasing its perfume during daylight hours, but not at night. not-comparable
- 3 Having a daily cycle that is completed every 24 hours, usually referring to tasks, processes, tides, or sunrise to sunset; circadian. not-comparable
- 4 Done once every day; daily, quotidian. not-comparable, uncommon
- 5 Published daily. archaic, not-comparable
Adjective
- 1 of or belonging to or active during the day wordnet
- 2 having a daily cycle or occurring every day wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"The net gravitational field at any point on the surface of the earth is the sum of the gravitational fields of all the masses in the universe; hence it displays diurnal and seasonal variations and variations with the phases of the moon and Jupiter; and those variations vary with latitude: if you live far from the poles, you weigh more at night."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "diurnal"?
Common synonyms include: annual, biannual, biennial, bimonthly, biweekly, catamenial.
How do you use "diurnal" in a sentence?
The net gravitational field at any point on the surface of the earth is the sum of the gravitational fields of all the masses in the universe; hence it displays diurnal and seasonal variations and variations with the phases of the moon and Jupiter; and those variations vary with latitude: if you live far from the poles, you weigh more at night.
How do you pronounce "diurnal"?
Pronounced /daɪˈɜːnəl/.
Etymology
From Latin diurnālis, from diēs (“day”). Doublet of journal.