good night
- an expression of farewell used in parting at nighttime or when going to sleep.
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Origin of good night
Middle English word dating back to 1325–75
good-night
[goo d-nahyt]
- a farewell or leave-taking: He said his good-nights before leaving the party.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for goodnight
Contemporary Examples
And let me say: those baffles make the telescope ugly, like its own mama puts a bag over its head before kissing it goodnight.
He was alone, wrapped at six in the morning, and the rest of us had wrapped earlier and were like, “Well, bye, goodnight!”
Alison Brie on ‘Community’s’ New Beginning, Dan Harmon’s Return, Nicolas Cage, and MoreMarlow Stern
January 3, 2014
After the performance, Howard gave her a hug and politely bid her goodnight.
He would send her and his daughters stick figures of himself in bed with Barney the dog to say goodnight or good morning.
Sometimes the littlest moments, like a goodnight kiss, are the most important.
Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato’s Favorite World of Wonder Clips (VIDEO)Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato
February 5, 2013
Historical Examples
As usual he said goodnight to no one of them, but stole gently out.
Heather and SnowGeorge MacDonald
Then Dawes yawned widely, stood up, and said goodnight at quarter-of-ten.
Dream TownHenry Slesar
Asgill's face was dark with passion, but "Goodnight" Flavia repeated coldly.
The Wild GeeseStanley John Weyman
Goodnight, Sergeant, and don't forget the hour in the morning.'
VC -- A Chronicle of Castle Barfield and of the CrimeaDavid Christie Murray
Goodnight, my friends, and may the good God have mercy upon all souls!
Little Novels of ItalyMaurice Henry Hewlett
good night
- 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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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Idioms and Phrases with goodnight
good night
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]
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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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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.