overnight

[oh-ver-nahyt, oh-ver-nahyt, oh-ver-nahyt]

adverb

1. for or during the night.

   to stay overnight.

2. on or during the previous evening.

   Preparations were made overnight.

3. very quickly; suddenly.

   New suburbs sprang up overnight.

adjective

1. done, made, occurring, or continuing during the night.

   an overnight stop; an overnight decision.

2. staying for one night.

   a group of overnight guests.

3. designed to be used on a trip or for a journey lasting one night or only a few nights. night.

4. intended for delivery on the next day.

   overnight letters; an overnight package.

5. valid for one night.

   The corporal got an overnight pass.

6. occurring suddenly or within a very short time.

   a comedian who became an overnight sensation.

noun

1. Informal.,  an overnight stay or trip.

   Our daughter had an overnight at a friend's house.

2. Informal.,  a permit for overnight absence, as from a college dormitory.

   She had an overnight the night of the prom.

3. the previous evening.

verb (used without object)

1. to have an overnight stay or trip.

   We'll overnight in Denver, then fly on to San Diego.

overnight

adverb

1. for the duration of the night

   we stopped overnight

2. in or as if in the course of one night; suddenly

   the situation changed overnight

adjective

1. done in, occurring in, or lasting the night

   an overnight stop

2. staying for one night

   overnight guests

3. lasting one night

   an overnight trip

   an overnight bank loan

4. for use during a single night

   overnight clothes

5. occurring in or as if in the course of one night; sudden

   an overnight victory

verb

1. to stay the night

Word History and Origins

Origin of overnight¹

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; over-, night

Example Sentences

It was only overnight on 17 March 2020 that a plan was put together to close schools, before an announcement was made the next day.

Read more on BBC

The arson attack took place on the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover, and the family was hosting 15 overnight guests.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Many ordinary Argentines handed over disproportionate sums of pesos to illegal street traders to buy dollars, fearing their money would lose value overnight.

Read more on BBC

The first freeze of the fall season is expected for the Owens Valley, with overnight lows dropping to between 27 and 32 degrees.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The US has called for the release of 30 leaders of one of China's largest underground church network who were reportedly detained over the weekend in overnight raids in various cities.

Read more on BBC

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