tonight

American  

[tuh-nahyt] / təˈnaɪt /

noun

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

---

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

---

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

So far, KJ Apa's insisting that he is not Mr Fantasy, telling Entertainment Tonight last month: "I'm a serious guy, I don't know what that guy is".

From BBC • May 7, 2026

Tonight, the women are gathered in Anna Sokol’s kitchen, surrounding an oven-roasted duck stuffed with apples.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

"Tonight, heaven gained a very special angel," said the musician and teacher, adding that Slenczynska's health had faltered after a series of falls.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Last year, she told Jimmy Fallon during an appearance on “The Tonight Show” that an unexpected encounter with Rihanna at Paris Fashion Week in 2024 helped get her through the split.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Tonight, though, she wouldn’t be working until nine.

From "The First State of Being" by Erin Entrada Kelly