overnight

1 of 4

adverb

over·​night ˌō-vər-ˈnīt How to pronounce overnight (audio)
Synonyms of overnightnext
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 How to pronounce overnight (audio)
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 How to pronounce overnight (audio) ˌō-vər-ˈnīt How to pronounce overnight (audio)
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 How to pronounce overnight (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
There will be minimal relief overnight, which makes the heat even more dangerous. — Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 2 July 2026 None of that shows up cleanly on a productivity dashboard, and none of it gets rebuilt overnight when a senior person walks out the door. — Nik Froehlich, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Adjective
Trails are available for day hiking and overnight backpacking, the site says. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 For an overnight option to break up the drive, stay at the historic Grand Hotel on carless Mackinac Island. — Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
Verb
These mobile providers may be able to overnight a new device or replacement so your business doesn’t have to stop when your devices do. — Max Silber, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2021 This time, Magnanti had to overnight the mask to Los Angeles, where the women’s team departed from. — Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2022
Noun
Late stays and overnights will be woven into each itinerary, too. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 10 June 2026 Discrete supercells will be likely throughout the evening hours and will last into the overnight. — Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overnight

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of overnight was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing overnight

Rhymes for overnight

See All Rhymes for overnight

Browse Nearby Words

overnice
overnight
overnight bag
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overnight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overnight. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

overnight

1 of 2 adverb
over·​night ˌō-vər-ˈnīt How to pronounce overnight (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on overnight

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for overnight

Nglish: Translation of overnight for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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