tonight

American  

[tuh-nahyt] / təˈnaɪt /

noun

1. this present or coming night; the night of this present day.

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adverb

1. on this present night; on the night of this present day.

2. Obsolete. during last night.

tonight British  

/ təˈnaɪt /

noun

1. the night or evening of this present day

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adverb

1. in or during the night or evening of this day

2. 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

See Examples For:

tonight

“Focus is likely to move to the three-year auction tonight from the U.S. Treasury,” said Jens Peter Sorensen, chief analyst at Danske Bank.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

"As Scotland, we might lack quality or make mistakes, but I don't think people accept being outfought. I think that's what happened tonight."

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

“As we honor him tonight, we also call on public employers to listen to their employees’ safety concerns and take meaningful action to protect the public servants who keep our communities moving.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026

"With that came the worry about what was going to happen her when she was out there. Is mum coming home tonight and if she is, is she going to be okay?"

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026

“That was for last night. You have to give me something for tonight, and besides, I’m making you a mountain of pure gold,” I said impatiently.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff