tonight
Americannoun
adverb
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on this present night; on the night of this present day.
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Obsolete. during last night.
noun
adverb
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in or during the night or evening of this day
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archaic last night
Etymology
Origin of tonight
before 1000; Middle English to night, Old English tō niht. See to, night
Explanation
Tonight is the evening that happens on the current day—not last night, not tomorrow night, but tonight. If your favorite TV show is on tonight, you'd better hurry up and finish your homework so you can tune in. If your friend suggests seeing a movie tonight, she means the upcoming night, the one that immediately follows today. Prior to the 18th century, tonight was two separate words, to night, and then until the 20th century, it was hyphenated: to-night.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"The Pope, who was definitely my guest tonight, has cancelled. We already sent the other stars away. This is terrible," Colbert said.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
This year’s debates have done little to catapult anyone to the top, and tonight was more of the same.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
And that was the message both leaders seemed to be sending tonight at the banquet.
From BBC • May 14, 2026
“Well, tonight I sold my oil. R0 of 2.7 so far. On a ship. Sure. Not airborne, sure. But it’s going to get worse before it gets better,” said Campbell.
From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026
We have our very first gig tonight and I’m a nervous wreck.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
