good night

/ˌɡʊd ˈnaɪt/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
A warm farewell at the end of the day.

Examples

  • The children said good night before going upstairs.
  • He sent a short good night message before bed.
  • Good night, Dad. See you in the morning.
  • "Good night, everyone," she said as she turned off the light.
  • We left the party and wished our friends good night.

Similar words

sleep well
night-night
goodbye

Meanings

Evening or bedtime farewell

social
neutral
Said when leaving someone in the evening or before that person goes to sleep.

Examples

  • Good night, Dad. See you in the morning.
  • The children said good night before going upstairs.
  • We left the party and wished our friends good night.
  • "Good night, everyone," she said as she turned off the light.
  • He sent a short good night message before bed.

Similar words

Etymology

The expression joins good, a wish of well-being, with night, the time of darkness and sleep.

FAQ

What does good night mean?

good night is a farewell before sleep or at night.

When is good night used?

Said when leaving someone in the evening or before that person goes to sleep.

How do people reply to good night?

Good night or sleep well is a natural reply.

Is good night formal?

It is common in family life and ordinary conversation, and can also be polite at an evening departure.

How does good night differ from good evening?

Good night is a farewell. Good evening greets someone when meeting.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...