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Definition of daylights

daylights

/ˈdeɪˌlaɪts/
day · lights
Plural:daylights
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daylights Lexical Profile

daylights Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person's wits, senses, or vital faculties, used informally in idioms to denote extreme fright, shock, or physical force.

Example

"The sudden clap of thunder right above the cabin scared the living daylights out of everyone."

2

British A person's eyes (dated or historical slang).

Example

"In the old novel, the boxer threatened to darken his opponent's daylights."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for daylights

Word Nuance & Usage

Used almost exclusively in informal idiomatic expressions such as 'scare the daylights out of' or 'beat the living daylights out of' to emphasize extreme intensity.

• Nearby Words

daydreamer
dayglo
daylight
daylights
daylily
daylit
daylong

Word Origin & Etymology

Originally 18th-century British slang referring to a person's eyes (as the organs that let in daylight), which later broadened in idiomatic phrases to mean one's vital senses or wits.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Daylights. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/daylights
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