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

There have been several explosions in an Iranian coastal province Thursday, following a fresh round of US strikes overnight, according to the semi-official Iranian news agency Mehr. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Sirens have sounded repeatedly in Bahrain overnight and into the morning after Iran launched a wave of fresh attacks on the Gulf. — Jamie Gray, NBC news, 9 July 2026

Adjective

Two campsites along the way let hikers turn the trek into a day trip or an overnight stay, and most experienced trekkers recommend the overnight for the atmosphere and the chance to meet fellow hikers around camp. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Two campsites along the route allow for an overnight stay, which many seasoned hikers recommend for the atmosphere and the chance to meet fellow travelers. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Verb

Star Legend will sail 16 week-long cruises between Rome and Barcelona, visiting Florence and Pisa in Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco (where the ship will overnight); and Marseille, France. — Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2023

If Newport Aeronautical had the documents, Barazin would photocopy and overnight them to the customers. — WIRED, 19 Aug. 2022

Noun

The judge also issued Taylor custody of Ever on the same midweek day each week without overnights as well as alternating weekends. — Sean Mandell, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Back-to-back overnights left Greenwald exhausted and depressed. — Melanie Thernstrom, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

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

Adjective

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1936, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing overnight

• overnight bag

Rhymes for overnight

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

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