Understanding the Difference Between Overnight and Over Night

Difference Between “Overnight” and “Over Night”

History of the Words

“Overnight” is a word that has been used since the 1600s. It means something that happens during the night. “Over night” is using two words, “over” and “night,” which mean across the night.

How to Use Them

“Overnight” is used as one word to mean something that happens during the night. “Over night” is used when you talk about many nights or a long time during the night. But “over night” is not used often. Most people say “overnight.”

Trick to Remember the Difference

Just remember, “overnight” is one word for things that happen during the night. “Over night” is two words, but we do not use it much.

Examples of “Overnight”

• I will stay at my friend’s house overnight.
• The package arrived overnight.
• She became famous overnight.
• The weather changed overnight.
• He baked the bread overnight.

Examples of “Over Night”

• The meeting continued over night and into the next day.
• We talked over night to solve the problem.
• The stars are out over night.
• The project lasted over night and into the morning.
• They worked on the car over night.

Summary

Use “overnight” as one word when talking about something that happens during the night. “Over night” as two words is not common, but it can mean something lasting many nights or long hours during the night.