Meaning & use
nightstand
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Meaning
nouncountableAmerican
A small table or cabinet placed next to a bed, often with drawers or shelves.
Grammar: Countable; can be used with 'a' or in the plural. In British English, 'bedside table' is more common.
Patterns
- on the nightstand
- a nightstand with drawers
- put something on the nightstand
She put her glasses and a glass of water on the nightstand.
The hotel room had a small nightstand with a lamp and a clock.
He keeps a book and his phone on the nightstand next to his bed.
Word forms
| plural | nightstands |
|---|
Common combinations
- bedside nightstand
- The bedroom had a matching bedside nightstand on each side.
- wooden nightstand
- They bought a wooden nightstand to match the bed frame.
- nightstand drawer
- He kept his keys in the nightstand drawer.
- on the nightstand
- The alarm clock is on the nightstand.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bedside table
- The usual British term; nightstand is the common American word.
- bedside cabinet
- A more formal British term, often suggesting a small cupboard rather than an open table.
Commonly confused: nightstand or night shift?
nightstand vs night shift
Night shift is a period of work during the night; nightstand is a piece of furniture beside a bed.
Practice
She placed her alarm clock on the ______ next to her bed.
Choose one answer.
A nightstand is a small table beside a bed. Night shift is a work period; night soil is human waste; nightmare is a bad dream.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “nightstand”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.