weeknight

American  

[week-nahyt] / ˈwikˌnaɪt /

noun

1. any night of the week, usually except Saturday and Sunday.

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adjective

1. Also weeknightly of, on, or for a weeknight.

   the weeknight lineup of TV programs.

weeknight British  

/ ˈwiːkˌnaɪt /

noun

1. the evening or night of a weekday

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Usage

What is a weeknight? A weeknight is the evening of a weekday—any day that is not a weekend day. Since the weekend is considered to consist of Saturday and Sunday, the weekdays are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The word week most commonly refers to any period of seven consecutive days, or to the seven-day period on the calendar that begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday. However, in weekday and weeknight, it refers to the five-day period that’s often considered the workweek or school week. The standard workweek is from Monday through Friday, though working schedules vary widely. For this reason, terms like weekday and weeknight are typically used—instead of just saying day or night—to distinguish them from the days and nights on the weekend. The similar terms work night and school night refer to nights when a person has to work or go to school the next day. Weeknight doesn’t necessarily imply this, but most people are probably less likely to call Friday night a weeknight since Friday evening is often considered the start of the weekend (though Friday is still considered a weekday.)Weeknight is commonly used as an adjective, as in weeknight dinner. The word weeknights can be used as an adverb meaning on weeknights, as in I work weeknights, but I’m free weekends. Example: I don’t usually like to be out so late on a weeknight, but I couldn’t miss this!

Etymology

Origin of weeknight

First recorded in 1855–60; week + night

Explanation

If it's evening, and the next day isn't Saturday or Sunday, it's a weeknight. Don't plan that sleepover party for a Tuesday — it's a weeknight, and you've got to get up early the next morning for school. During the regular work week, most people tend to go to bed before it gets too late. On weeknights, you're less likely to go to a movie that starts at 9:00 or invite your friends over for a late night dance party. Whether you've got work or school in the morning, weeknights are often all about being responsible. Your favorite restaurant might even close early on weeknights, while staying open until midnight on the weekend.

Example Sentences

I asked ChatGPT on a rushed weeknight, throwing together the final few groceries for my family of seven.

From Slate • May 6, 2026

Others are the ones people actually make—on a weeknight, without much planning, and then return to again.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

Passing by on a random weeknight, one might see an overflow of patrons spilling onto Vermont Avenue, as the shop regularly hosts authors to discuss their new books.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

It is many things: diner stalwart, weeknight hero, cafeteria punchline.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

A typical weeknight when he was home went like this: 1.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick