overnight

1 of 4

adverb

over·​night ˌō-vər-ˈnīt 

1

a

: on the evening before

b

: during the night

stayed away overnight

2

: very quickly or suddenly

became famous overnight

overnight

2 of 4

adjective

over·​night ˌō-vər-ˈnīt 

1

: of, lasting, or staying the night

2

: sudden, rapid

an overnight sensation

3

: traveling during the night

an overnight train

4

a

: accomplished by a mail service within one day's time

overnight delivery

b

: delivered within one day's time

overnight mail

overnight

3 of 4

verb

over·​night ˈō-vər-ˌnīt  ˌō-vər-ˈnīt 

overnighted; overnighting; overnights

intransitive verb

: to stay overnight

transitive verb

: to send (something, such as a package or letter) by a mail service for delivery within one day's time

overnight

4 of 4

noun

over·​night ˈō-vər-ˌnīt 

: an overnight stay

Examples of overnight in a Sentence

Adverb

He stayed overnight and went home the next day.

Let the paint dry overnight.

The novel made her famous overnight.

Adjective

They went on an overnight bus trip.

Overnight guests are not allowed in the dormitory.

The show was an overnight success.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Amsterdam continues to crack down on overtourism by prohibiting the development of new hotels and limiting the number of travelers allowed to stay overnight in the city. —Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024

The Lyrids meteor shower is active until April 29 and is predicted to peak overnight from Sunday into Monday, according to the American Meteor Society. —Huo Jingnan, NPR, 21 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1959, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing overnight

• overnight bag

Kids Definition

overnight

1 of 2 adverb

over·​night ˌō-vər-ˈnīt 

1

: on or during the evening or night

stayed away overnight

2

: very quickly or suddenly

became famous overnight

overnight

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of, lasting, or staying the night

overnight trip

an overnight guest

2

: sudden sense 1

overnight stardom

3

: traveling during the night

an overnight train

4

: delivered within one day's time

overnight mail