B2adverb2K

Overnight

UK /["/ˌəʊvəˈnaɪt/"]/US /["/ˌəʊvərˈnaɪt/"]/

Definition

during or for the night

In simple words: For a night or all night long.

Examples

  • We **stayed overnight** in London after the theatre.
  • Don't expect it to improve overnight.
  • She became famous overnight.

Usage notes

Often used in contexts such as travel, delivery, or changes that occur within a single night. It can be informal when talking about sudden developments but is generally neutral.

Grammar pattern

standalone adverb

Memory hint

Think of 'overnight' as 'over the night', a sleepover at a friend's house.

Collocations

  • overnight stay
  • overnight shipping
  • overnight transformation

Synonyms

  • through the night
  • all night
  • overnight stay

Antonyms

  • daytime
  • morning

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'over night', which is incorrect as one word.
  • Using it incorrectly as an adjective, e.g., 'overnight delivery service' instead of an adverb.
  • Incorrectly assuming it can be used for durations longer than a night.