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• good night
  good night

  interjection

  an expression of farewell used in parting at nighttime or when going to sleep.
• good-night
  good-night

  noun

  a farewell or leave-taking.

good night

¹ American  

interjection

1. an expression of farewell used in parting at nighttime or when going to sleep.

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good-night ² American  

[good-nahyt] / ˌgʊdˈnaɪt /

noun

1. a farewell or leave-taking.

   He said his good-nights before leaving the party.

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good night British  

1. a conventional expression of farewell, or, rarely, of greeting, used in the late afternoon, the evening, or at night, esp when departing to bed

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good night Idioms  

1. Expression of farewell used when parting at night or when going to sleep, as in He stood at the door, saying good night to each of the departing guests , or Mother came to tuck the children in and kiss them good night . [Late 1300s]

2. Exclamation of surprise or irritation, as in Good night, Joe!—You can't mean what you said , or Good night, Anne—it's time you learned how to throw a ball . [Late 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of good night

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

good night good-night

“Get a good night rest tonight and be ready to rock,” McVay said during a media session with mostly Australian reporters after his team went through a short jog-through at Marvel Stadium.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

Cole's vocal tics tend to include the names of her husband, her son or the family cat or random phrases such as "good night" during the day time.

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

Even if he were cogent enough to consider such a thought, he will never go gentle into that good night.

From Salon ● Jun. 19, 2026

Yesterday there was a house where you drank your coffee, cooked meals and kissed your children good night.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026

Even though it was only seven p.m., we both said good night.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

He played a game that was attractive to fans — big serve, closing volley, good-night Irene.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2022

But even when they grew up, they got a good-night hug or a welcome-home embrace after an absence.

From Slate ● May 19, 2020

“Hello, good-night, I’m going to play a quick game of Madden,” he says.

From Salon ● Feb. 1, 2019

But Philipps works to connect, ending each episode pouring a margarita, putting on a nightgown — “Mr. Nightgown,” she calls it — singing a good-night song and saying “I love you” directly to the camera.

From New York Times ● Nov. 5, 2018

I felt again the Negro children’s lips soft against mine, so like the feel of my own children’s good-night kisses.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin