What does overnight mean?
Overnight describes something that happens during the night, across the period between one evening and the following morning. It is also widely used to indicate a sudden or remarkably rapid change: a product may become an overnight success, or a decision may be reversed overnight. As an adjective, overnight can describe a stay, journey, delivery, or period of time connected with the night. The noun meaning, a night spent somewhere, is less frequent but common in phrases such as “an overnight stay” and “a bag for overnight travel.” The word can suggest either a practical duration of sleeping or a striking change achieved with remarkable speed, depending on context. It is widely used in everyday English in both British and American usage and can also occur in formal reports, travel descriptions, and business coverage.
During the night or from one evening until the following morning; suddenly, with little or no warning.
"The package arrived overnight."
Connected with or lasting for the night; involving a change or success achieved with striking speed.
"They booked an overnight flight to avoid losing another day."
A night spent away from one's usual accommodation.
"An overnight stay is included in the price of the tour."
The plural is used when referring to multiple overnight stays or journeys.
"The hotel offers discounted rates for overnight stays during the week."
Something can become an overnight success because time and circumstances change dramatically while most of the world is asleep.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does overnight come from?
Overnight is a compound formed in Middle English from the preposition “on” and the Old English word “niht,” meaning “night.” The expression originally referred to a period during the night and later developed the meanings “by the following morning” and “suddenly, in one night.” It is related to English words such as “night,” “nightly,” and “midnight,” and it shares a broader semantic connection with words such as “nocturnal,” derived from Latin “nox” or “noctis,” meaning “night.”
How overnight is actually used
The adverb is the most common form. As an adjective, it describes an action, period, or result connected with a night. The noun use is less common and is especially used in travel and accommodation contexts, as in “an overnight stay.” The word is neutral in register and is common in both British and American English.
Easily confused with overnight
Overnight means during the night or by the next morning, whereas overtime means extra hours worked beyond the usual working period.
Overnight describes something happening through the night, whereas overhead means above the head or, in business contexts, ongoing operating costs.