tonight
tuh-NYT
Tonight (adv) means during the evening or night of the present day. Example: “I'm staying in tonight because I have an early start tomorrow.”
adv
1
During the evening or night of the present day.
"I'm staying in tonight because I have an early start tomorrow."
"Are you free for dinner tonight?"
"It might snow tonight."
noun
1
The night of the current day.
"Tonight is our anniversary, so I booked a table at our favourite restaurant."
"I've been looking forward to tonight all week, so please don't cancel."
"Tonight will be the coldest night of the week."
How to use tonight
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe evening or night of today, as opposed to "last night" or "tomorrow night."
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like tonight.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- tonights
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I'm staying in _____ because I have an early start tomorrow.
Etymology
From Old English to niht, "at/on (this) night."
Synonyms
View more →
this evening
this night
Frequently asked questions
What does “tonight” mean?
The word “tonight” means during the evening or night of the present day. In plain terms, the evening or night of today, as opposed to "last night" or "tomorrow night.".
How do you pronounce “tonight”?
“Tonight” is pronounced tuh-NYT (/təˈnaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “tonight” in a sentence?
Here is “tonight” used in a sentence: “Are you free for dinner tonight?”
What part of speech is “tonight”?
Depending on how it is used, “tonight” can be an adverb and a noun.
Where does the word “tonight” come from?
The word “tonight” comes from Old English. From Old English to niht, "at/on (this) night.".
Is “tonight” a common word?
“Tonight” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “tonight” have?
“Tonight” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: during the evening or night of the present day.
What is the difference between 'tonight' and 'this evening'?
'This evening' points to the earlier part of the night, roughly from the end of the working day until bedtime. 'Tonight' covers the whole evening and night of the present day and can stretch later, into the darker hours. The two overlap, but 'tonight' is broader and slightly less specific about timing.
Does 'tonight' mean evening or night?
'Tonight' covers both. It refers to the evening and night of the present day, so it can mean anything from just after sunset to the late hours before morning. Whether you say 'see you tonight' at 7 p.m. or 'still awake tonight' at midnight, both use it correctly.
Is 'tonight' one word or two?
'Tonight' is written as one word. The older two-word and hyphenated spellings, 'to night' and 'to-night', are now outdated and considered incorrect in modern English. The informal spelling 'tonite' sometimes appears in advertising or casual notes, but 'tonight' is the only form accepted in standard writing.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include tonight:
