Overnight

Definition

Overnight commonly refers to the entire duration of an evening or the period from evening to morning. It can also imply a rapid or sudden occurrence.

Parts of Speech

• Adverb (e.g., "The situation changed overnight.")
• Adjective (e.g., "It was an overnight journey.")
• Noun (e.g., "We'll stay for two overnights.")

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌoʊvərˈnaɪt/
• Respelling: oh-ver-NIGHT (with "oh" as in "go," "ver" as in "very," and "NIGHT" as in "night")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌəʊvəˈnaɪt/
• Respelling: oh-ver-NIGHT (with "oh" as in "go," "ver" as in "very," and "NIGHT" as in "night")

In both dialects, "overnight" places the primary stress on the third syllable, "NIGHT." The pronunciation remains consistent across both American and British English, focusing on the clear articulation of "oh-ver-NIGHT."

Etymology

The term "overnight" is a compound of "over-" and "night." Historically, it referred to the course of a night, and over time its meanings expanded to include the concept of suddenness or rapidity, likely from the idea of something happening or changing during the span of a single night.

Derivatives

• Overnighter
• Overnighting
• Overnights
• Overnightly
• Overnightness

Synonyms

• Nightlong
• Rapidly
• Suddenly

Antonyms

• Gradually
• Daylong
• Slowly

Usage

• As an Adverb: Denotes that something occurs during the night or from one day to the next.‍
• As an Adjective: Describes something lasting, occurring, or meant for the entire duration of a night.‍
• As a Noun: Refers to an action or the period in which something takes place over a night.

Related Terms

• Night
• Dawn
• Dusk
• Sunrise
• Sunset

Detailed Definition

Adverb

• During the entire night.
• Example: "She studied overnight for her exam."

• Rapidly or suddenly.
• Example: "The town's population grew overnight."

Adjective

• Lasting, occurring, or intended for an entire night.
• Example: "It was an overnight trip."

• Achieved or occurring in a very short period.
• Example: "An overnight celebrity."

Noun

• A stay or the action of staying somewhere for a night.
• Example: "We had a pleasant overnight at the countryside inn."