Meaning & use
carpe noctem
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrasehumorous
A Latin expression meaning 'seize the night', used to urge people to enjoy or use the nighttime fully.
Grammar: Used as an exclamation or motto; often a joke on carpe diem.
Patterns
- carpe noctem!
It's Friday, the music's loud, so carpe noctem!
The night-owl club's motto is carpe noctem.
He texted 'carpe noctem' before heading to the late show.
Common combinations
- carpe noctem tattoo
- She got a carpe noctem tattoo for her night-shift years.
- live by carpe noctem
- Students sometimes live by carpe noctem during exams.
- say carpe noctem
- He liked to say carpe noctem at midnight.
- carpe noctem party
- The carpe noctem party lasted until sunrise.
Synonyms and how they differ
- carpe diem
- Carpe diem urges using the day, and carpe noctem is the playful night version.
- live it up
- Live it up is plain English for enjoying yourself, not specifically at night.
- make a night of it
- This phrase is informal and means to stay out for the evening, while carpe noctem is a motto.
Word family
- carpe diem phrase
- seize the day
- nocturnal adjective
- active at night
- nocturne noun
- a dreamy piece of night music
Commonly confused: carpe noctem or carpe diem?
carpe noctem vs carpe diem
Carpe diem is the classic Latin saying about the day; carpe noctem is a modern jokey variation.
Practice
A friend who loves staying up late might shout 'Carpe ___!' at midnight.
Choose one answer.
Noctem means night in Latin, giving 'seize the night'. Diem gives the original, more famous saying about the day.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “carpe noctem”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.