overnight

word

/ˈoʊvɝˈnaɪt/
OH-vur-NYT
/ˈəʊvəˌnaɪt/
OH-vuh-NYT

Definition

Happening during the night, or changing very quickly by the next day. It can also describe staying somewhere for one night.

Usage & Nuances

Often used as an adverb in phrases like 'change overnight' or 'stay overnight'. 'Overnight success' means sudden success, but usually after hidden long-term effort. Be careful: it can mean either literally during the night or figuratively very quickly.

Example Sentences

We stayed overnight at a small hotel.

basic

The weather changed overnight.

basic

I left the beans in water overnight.

basic

She didn't become famous overnight; she'd been working at it for years.

natural

Can I leave this here overnight, or does it need to go today?

natural

The video went overnight once a big account shared it.

natural