overnight

[ adverb oh-ver-nahyt; adjective noun oh-ver-nahyt; verb oh-ver-nahyt ]

adverb

1. for or during the night:

   to stay overnight.

2. on or during the previous evening:

   Preparations were made overnight.

3. very quickly; suddenly:

   New suburbs sprang up overnight.

adjective

1. done, made, occurring, or continuing during the night:

   an overnight stop; an overnight decision.

2. staying for one night:

   a group of overnight guests.

3. designed to be used on a trip or for a journey lasting one night or only a few nights. night.
4. intended for delivery on the next day:

   overnight letters; an overnight package.

5. valid for one night:

   The corporal got an overnight pass.

6. occurring suddenly or within a very short time:

   a comedian who became an overnight sensation.

noun

1. Informal. an overnight stay or trip:

   Our daughter had an overnight at a friend's house.

2. Informal. a permit for overnight absence, as from a college dormitory:

   She had an overnight the night of the prom.

3. the previous evening.

verb (used without object)

1. to have an overnight stay or trip:

   We'll overnight in Denver, then fly on to San Diego.

overnight

adverb

1. for the duration of the night

   we stopped overnight

2. in or as if in the course of one night; suddenly

   the situation changed overnight

adjective

1. done in, occurring in, or lasting the night

   an overnight stop

2. staying for one night

   overnight guests

3. lasting one night

   an overnight trip

   an overnight bank loan

4. for use during a single night

   overnight clothes

5. occurring in or as if in the course of one night; sudden

   an overnight victory

verb

1. to stay the night

Word History and Origins

Origin of overnight¹

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; over-, night

Example Sentences

Proposals for a law that could see some tourists paying a tax for staying overnight will begin their way through the Welsh Parliament this month.

From BBC

Earlier this month two of his artworks were stolen during an overnight break-in at a gallery in the Netherlands.

From BBC

“Getting done with the merger means that Air India grows overnight, and the two teams start cooperating instead of competing. There will never be one right day to merge. Somewhere, a line had to be drawn,” said Mr Awtaney.

From BBC

Harbaugh might as well take a reprieve while he can, as the upcoming stretch of games should reveal whether the Chargers actually have become overnight contenders under his watch or were beneficiaries of a soft early-season schedule.

From Los Angeles Times

The plan came about after Rosemary noticed that older residents in the village were forced to move away from family and friends to get overnight care.

From BBC

Related Words

• brief
• interim
• limited
• makeshift
• momentary
• provisional
• short-lived
• transitory