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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

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

The Angels thumped the Colorado Rockies 11-4, but one good night cannot change the trajectory of a miserable season.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

The Conservatives have also lost ground while Reform UK had a good night, winning over 350 council seats and gaining control of Newcastle-under-Lyme and Havering.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

After a good night, Berry and Cynthia would walk out with about $150 each.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

He’d barely turned out the light when his mum had very apologetically—and very groggily—come in to kiss him good night.

From "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness