night
gb/nˈaɪt/ us/nˈaɪt/
A1
English
~ 300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
event
1
Time from sunset to sunrise
The time when the sun is down and it is dark outside.
Usage pattern:
[something] happens at night
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'night' with 'evening'. Evening refers to the time just before it becomes fully dark, while night is after darkness has fully set in.
Synonyms
darkness (Refers more to the absence of light rather than the specific time period.)
Antonyms
day (Refers to the period of light between sunrise and sunset.)
Collocations
at night
|during the night
|late at night
|night sky
|night shift
Themes
daily life
|nature
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We went for a walk at night to see the stars.
- The streets are quiet during the night.
- Owls are active at night.
- I prefer driving at night when there is less traffic.
Learner examples
- I sleep at night.
- The moon is bright at night.
- We eat dinner at night.
- It is cold at night.
Noun
A2
event
2
An evening social event
A party, show, or other event that happens in the evening or night.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has a [type] night
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this with simply 'night' meaning darkness, but here it refers to an organized activity.
Synonyms
evening event (More formal and specific to planned gatherings.)
Collocations
movie night
|game night
|date night
|opening night
Themes
entertainment
|daily life
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- We had a fun game night with friends.
- Friday is our regular date night.
- The theater’s opening night was sold out.
Learner examples
- We have movie night every Saturday.
- Tonight is our date night.
- They enjoyed quiz night at the pub.
Noun
A2
event
3
Time spent sleeping at night
The time when you are asleep at night.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has a [adjective] night
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'a good night' as a farewell instead of meaning restful sleep depending on context.
Synonyms
sleep (Refers to the act or state of sleeping, not specifically tied to nighttime.)
Antonyms
daytime waking hours (The period of being awake during the day.)
Collocations
good night’s sleep
|bad night
|restless night
Themes
health
|daily life
|time
|daily_life
Examples
- I had a terrible night because of the storm.
- She enjoyed a good night’s sleep for the first time in weeks.
- His baby kept him awake all night.
Learner examples
- I had a good night.
- She slept well last night.
- He had a bad night because he was sick.
Noun
A1
action
4
'Good night' as farewell before sleep
'Night' used to say goodbye before going to bed or leaving late.
Usage pattern:
'Good night' to [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes write 'Goodnight' as one word; while common in informal writing, standard English uses two words for the farewell phrase.
Synonyms
farewell before sleep (General phrase indicating parting before bedtime.)
Collocations
good night
Themes
daily life
|social interaction
|daily_life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Good night, see you in the morning!
- She kissed her children and said good night.
- He waved and said, 'Night, everyone!'
Learner examples
- Good night, Mom.
- Good night, everyone.
- Night, see you tomorrow.
Grammar
Dictionary form
night
IPA
GB/nˈaɪt/
US/nˈaɪt/
Syllables & stress
night (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (night)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: night
- Plural: night, nights
Word family
Expressions
at night
1/ˈæt nˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
During nighttime hours
Happening when it is dark outside between sunset and sunrise.
Examples
- The city looks beautiful at night.
- Owls hunt at night.
good night
1/ɡˈʊd nˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
Farewell before sleeping or leaving late
What you say to someone when they go to bed or leave late in the evening.
Examples
- Good night, see you tomorrow!
- She hugged her dad and said good night.
late at night
1/lˈeɪt ˈæt nˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
In later hours of nighttime
Happening in the later part of nighttime before morning comes.
Examples
- He likes to read late at night.
- We heard strange noises late at night.
night and day
1/nˈaɪt ˈænd dˈeɪ/
idiom
All the time without stopping
All the time without stopping, day and night.
Examples
- They worked night and day to finish the project.
- It rained night and day for a week.
overnight stay
1/ˈoʊvɚnˈaɪt stˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
a stay that lasts one night
A visit or trip where you sleep in that place for one night.
Examples
- We booked an overnight stay in Paris.
- The price includes an overnight stay and breakfast.
- The package includes an overnight stay at a hotel.
- They arranged an overnight stay in the capital before the meeting.
- Our tour package comes with one overnight stay at a local hotel.