overnight

o-ver-night · adverb

imported

Definitions

adverb

  1. 1.

    (adverb) During or for the length of a night.

  2. 2.

    (adverb) Very quickly; suddenly.

  3. 3.

    (adjective) For or during a night; happening or appearing in a very short time.

Phrases & expressions

  • overnight bag — a small bag for clothes and toiletries for a short trip
  • overnight stay — spending one night somewhere
  • overnight success — achieving success very quickly

Related words

Antonyms: gradually
See also: night, quickly, sudden

Etymology

From Middle English, compound of over + night. The sense of "suddenly" developed from the idea of a dramatic change happening in a single night.