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

In Wednesday’s session on Wall Street, Micron Technology shares dived more than 10%, despite its stunning 260% gain year-to-date, while Sandisk also shed over 10% overnight. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 2 July 2026

There will be minimal relief overnight, which makes the heat even more dangerous. — Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Adjective

Hotel employee April Graser, who was working the overnight shift when the fire broke out, told local ABC affiliate WEWS-TV the night had been routine until the hotel's fire alarms suddenly sounded. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Record-breaking temperatures, combined with humidity and little overnight relief, could lead to life-threatening conditions. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 3 July 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

Showers and storms will clear out as the skies begin to clear through the evening and into the overnight. — Grant Gilmore, CBS News, 23 June 2026

Late stays and overnights will be woven into each itinerary, too. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 10 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