all-nighter

American  

[awl-nahy-ter] / ˈɔlˈnaɪ tər /

noun

Informal.

1. something that lasts, is available, or is open for business throughout the night.

   The poker game turned into an all-nighter. Are any of the grocery stores all-nighters?

2. an act of staying up all night, as to study or finish a task.

   I had to pull an all-nighter to get the paper done on time.

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all-nighter British  

/ ˌɔːlˈnaɪtə /

noun

1. an entertainment, such as a pop concert or film screening, that lasts all night

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Etymology

Origin of all-nighter

1890–95; all night + -er ¹

Example Sentences

“I pulled almost an all-nighter last night, so he’s been keeping us up,” he said, exhaling a light chuckle.

From Salon • Sep. 30, 2025

The 40-year-old infectious diseases physician at Massachusetts General Hospital pulled her first all-nighter since she was a medical resident to pore over papers, and worked into the late hours after her daughter’s second birthday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 24, 2025

Get ready for another all-nighter reading Givhan’s lyrical, spooky thriller.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2025

Like a student pulling an all-nighter to prepare for an exam, the Washington State Department of Transportation is pushing projects as fast as possible to meet a 2030 deadline to reopen 90% of upstream habitat.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 18, 2024

It was the equivalent of pulling a frantic all-nighter to get a paper done in college, only Barack was estimating it would take him roughly a couple of months to get the book finished.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama