broad daylight

broad day·light
UK/bɹɔːd ˈdeɪlaɪt/US/bɹɔd ˈdeɪˌlaɪt/cot caught merger/bɹɑd ˈdeɪˌlaɪt/

noun

Abundant natural illumination in daytime, producing clear visibility; hence, daytime.

“The bank robbery took place in broad daylight.”

Meanings

nounbroad daylight (uncountable)
  1. uncountableAbundant natural illumination in daytime, producing clear visibility; hence, daytime.

    Broad daylight illumined the apartment, for the sun was high in heaven, though obscured by rolling masses of autumnal vapour.

    1848, Acton Bell [pseudonym; Anne Brontë], “The Retreat”, in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. […], volume III, London: T[homas] C[autley] Newby, […], →OCLC, page 121
    3 more examples

    VVhen half a dozen ingenous Men are got together over a Glaſs of VVine, by a chearful Fire, in a Room vvell lighted, vve baniſh vvith eaſe all the Spectres of Fancy or Education, and are very clear in our Deciſions. But, as I vvas taking a ſolitary VValk before it vvas broad Day-light in yonder Grove, methought the Point vvas not quite ſo clear; nor cou'd I readily recollect the Force of thoſe Arguments, vvhich uſed to appear ſo concluſive at other Times.

    1732, George Berkeley, “The Fourth Dialogue”, in Alciphron: Or, The Minute Philosopher. […], volume I, London: […] J[acob] Tonson […], →OCLC, section III, page 211

    Whilst they had been speaking, she had opened the door, a narrow iron one well hung, for it had opened easily and closed tightly without any creaking or sound of any kind. Within all was dark; but she entered as freely and with as little misgiving or restraint as if it had been broad daylight.

    1911, Bram Stoker, “Exit Oolanga”, in The Lair of the White Worm, London: William Rider and Son, […], →OCLC, page 170

    We're gonna rock around the clock tonight, / We're gonna rock, rock, rock, 'til broad daylight, / We're gonna rock, gonna rock around the clock tonight.

    1952 (date written), Max C[harles] Freedman, Jimmy De Knight [pseudonym; James Edward Myers], “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock”, performed by Bill Haley & His Comets, Philadelphia, Pa.: Myers Music, published 1953, recording released 20 May 1954, →OCLC, page 2

    Synonyms: open daylight

  2. figurativelyuncountableChiefly preceded by in: the full view of observers during the day.

    The bank robbery took place in broad daylight.

    2 more examples

    'But surely,' protested Peter half-heartedly, 'he couldn't carry on a racket like that in broad daylight and get away with it?'

    1934, Leslie Charteris, “The Uncritical Publisher”, in Ian Dickerson, editor, The Saint Intervenes, London: Mulholland Books, published 2013, →ISBN, page 125

    It's still too dangerous for the wife of a journalist who was murdered in the street in broad daylight.

    2008 January 24, Brian Benntt, “When Iraqis Come to America”, in Time, New York, N.Y.: Time Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 16 Sep 2008

Synonyms & antonyms

nounAbundant natural illumination in daytime, producing clear visibility; hence, daytime.

Origin

From broad (“(archaic) to the full extent”) + daylight.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 大白天, 青天白日
  • 大白天 (dàbáitiān)abundant natural illumination in daytime
  • 青天白日 (qīngtiānbáirì)abundant natural illumination in daytime
Finnish kirkas päivänvalo
  • kirkas päivänvaloabundant natural illumination in daytime
Japanese 白昼, 昼日中
  • 白昼 (hakuchū)abundant natural illumination in daytime
  • 昼日中 (hiruhinaka)abundant natural illumination in daytime
  • 真昼 (mahiru)abundant natural illumination in daytime
  • 真っ昼間 (mappiruma)abundant natural illumination in daytime
Māori maruawatea
  • maruawateaabundant natural illumination in daytime
Tamil பட்டப்பகல்
  • பட்டப்பகல் (paṭṭappakal)abundant natural illumination in daytime
Vietnamese sáng bạch, thanh thiên bạch nhật
  • sáng bạchabundant natural illumination in daytime
  • thanh thiên bạch nhậtabundant natural illumination in daytime
Cite this entry
APA

broad daylight. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/broad%20daylight

MLA

“broad daylight.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/broad%20daylight. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “broad daylight,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/broad%20daylight.

Source: broad daylight on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.