Langimage
English

overnight

|o/ver/night|

B1

🇺🇸

/ˌoʊvərˈnaɪt/

🇬🇧

/ˌəʊvəˈnaɪt/

overnight stay or event

Etymology
Etymology Information

'overnight' originates from Middle English, specifically the words 'over' and 'night', where 'over' meant 'above' or 'beyond' and 'night' referred to the period of darkness.

Historical Evolution

'overnight' changed from the Middle English phrase 'over nyght' and eventually became the modern English word 'overnight'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'through the night', but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'happening in one night' and 'staying for a night'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a stay or event that lasts for one night.

The trip included an overnight in Paris.

Synonyms

Verb 1

to stay somewhere for the night.

We decided to overnight at a friend's house.

Synonyms

Adjective 1

happening or done in the course of a single night.

The company experienced an overnight success.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Adverb 1

for the duration of a night.

We stayed overnight at the hotel.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:40