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

But that unseasonable heat was quickly interrupted by a strong cold front that flipped Central Texas temperatures from summer swelter into winter chill literally overnight. —Roberto Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026

Four people were also killed in the occupied West Bank by an Iranian missile strike overnight. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Iranian state media has framed the overnight attacks on Israel as retaliation for the bombing of the Natanz nuclear facility. —CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026

Complimentary breakfast is a common offering at many hotel chains, including brands like Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Residence Inn, where self-service buffets are often included with overnight stays. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 22 Mar. 2026

Verb

My bank promised to overnight a new card to my address but then sent it to the wrong address – my U.S. residence instead of my Swiss address. —Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024

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

Noun

The main thrust of the storms will push through during the overnight and should be clearing the Eastern Shore in Maryland by late morning. —Gregory Padgett, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

Harder to swallow still, an overnight at Hotel Hans Egede — generally considered Nuuk’s best stay, though firmly in the three-star category by international standards — typically exceeds $350 per night during high season. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar. 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