night
/naɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /naɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈnīt/ (ame, mw)
night — noun
- nightsingular
- nightsplural
1. the time each day when the sky is dark because the sun has gone down, and most p
the time each day when the sky is dark because the sun has gone down, and most people rest or sleep
The night was so cold that Soraya wore two coats to walk the dog.
Liang could hear owls calling in the night from his bedroom window.
prepositional phrase: in the night
During the long Arctic night, the sun never rises for weeks on end.
The children were afraid of the dark and kept a small light on all night.
A loud noise woke Saira in the middle of the night.
文法句型
at night
during the night
all night
in the night
用法筆記
Use 'at night' for general statements about nighttime (owls hunt at night). Use 'during the night' or 'in the night' for specific events that happen within one night. 'All night' means the entire night period.
常見錯誤
2. the hours after the work or school day finishes and before a person goes to slee
the hours after the work or school day finishes and before a person goes to sleep, when people typically have dinner, unwind, or do things at home
Owen usually spends Friday nights watching films or reading at home.
plural nights for habitual activity
We are having friends over for dinner tomorrow night.
Lara stays up late every night studying for her chemistry exams.
Paul likes to take a short walk along the river after supper each night.
The Wong family gathers around the table every night for a home-cooked meal.
- morning
the early part of the day after waking up
文法句型
on + specific evening
every night
last night / tomorrow night
用法筆記
Use 'on' before a specific named evening ('on Friday night', 'on the night of the party'). 'Last night' and 'tomorrow night' are fixed adverbial phrases that do not take a preposition.
常見錯誤
3. an evening chosen for a specific event, activity, or celebration to take place
an evening chosen for a specific event, activity, or celebration to take place
The school held a parents' night to show student art and science projects.
compound noun: parents' night
Gabriel proposed to Élise on the night of the carnival.
pattern: the night of + event
Opening night of the play drew a large crowd to the theatre.
The museum hosts a science night for local teenagers every month.
- evening
a more general term without the special-event meaning
文法句型
___ night
night of + event
用法筆記
This sense often appears in compound nouns formed with the event name (movie night, game night, karaoke night) or with 'opening' for first performances.
4. a warm, informal bedtime farewell said mainly by or to small children, often rep
a warm, informal bedtime farewell said mainly by or to small children, often repeated as 'Night, night!'
'Night, night, sleep well,' said Karim as he tucked his daughter into bed.
repeated 'night' pattern for children
Dylan whispered 'night, night' to his little brother and turned off the lamp.
'Night, night, sweet dreams!' called Sirin from the doorway of the room.
The toddler waved at her grandparents and said 'night, night' from the car seat.
- good night
the standard form, used in all situations
- sleep tight
an informal bedtime wish, often said after good night
文法句型
say 'Night, night!'
wish someone night
用法筆記
Almost always used in the doubled form 'Night, night!' when speaking to children. Dropping the 'good' makes it sound warmer and more informal.
5. used in fixed phrases to refer to a specific evening not long ago, without sayin
used in fixed phrases to refer to a specific evening not long ago, without saying exactly when
I bumped into Christopher at the supermarket the other night.
fixed phrase: the other night
The other night, Saira heard a strange noise coming from the garden shed.
We ran into our old neighbour, Mr. Chen, one night last week at the park.
Liang told me about his trip to Japan the other night over the phone.
- recently
broader, can refer to any time recently, not just evenings
文法句型
the other night
one night last week
用法筆記
This sense has two main fixed expressions: 'the other night' (a recent unspecified evening) and 'one night last week/month' (slightly more specific). Both function as time adverbials.
常見錯誤
6. an evening spent away from home doing something enjoyable, such as eating at a r
an evening spent away from home doing something enjoyable, such as eating at a restaurant, watching a show, or meeting friends
The football team booked a table for a night out after winning the match.
phrase: a night out
Soraya and her colleagues planned a night out to celebrate her promotion.
A night out at the cinema is a simple pleasure Karim enjoys every month.
After weeks of exams, the students decided on a night out in the city centre.
- evening out
more general, less idiomatic
- night in
an evening spent at home
文法句型
have a night out
go out for the night
a night on the town
用法筆記
Commonly appears in the phrase 'a night out' or 'a night on the town'. The opposite idea is 'a night in' (staying at home).
night — exclamation
1. an expression used when parting from someone at the end of the day or when getti
an expression used when parting from someone at the end of the day or when getting ready for bed
'Good night, everyone. See you in the morning,' said the camp leader.
Good night as farewell + future reference
Lara kissed her mother on the cheek and said 'Night, Mum!' before heading upstairs.
'Good night, Gabriel. Thanks for a lovely evening,' Élise called from the taxi.
The babysitter whispered 'good night' as she quietly closed the children's bedroom door.
- sleep well
a warmer wish before bed, often said to someone who is staying
- good morning
said when meeting someone in the morning
文法句型
Good night!
Night!
用法筆記
'Good night' is used only when LEAVING or going to sleep — never as a greeting when arriving. To greet someone in the evening, say 'Good evening' instead.
常見錯誤
night — adjective
- nightpositive
- nightercomparative
- nightestsuperlative
1. describes something that naturally belongs to or is a basic part of the night, s
describes something that naturally belongs to or is a basic part of the night, such as the air, sky, or sounds during that time
The night air felt cool and fresh against Owen's skin as he stepped outside.
collocation: night air
The night sky above the desert was filled with thousands of bright stars.
A soft night breeze carried the sweet smell of jasmine through the window.
The night sounds of crickets and frogs filled the warm summer air.
- nighttime
can be used interchangeably in many contexts
文法句型
night + noun describing inherent quality
用法筆記
This sense describes qualities inherent to the night itself (air, sky, sounds). It does NOT describe scheduled events — for those, use sense 3 below.
2. designed or made to be worn or used during the night
designed or made to be worn or used during the night
Saira applied a small amount of night cream before going to sleep.
collocation: night cream
The hotel provides a night light in every room for guests who wake at night.
collocation: night light
Dylan packed his night clothes in a separate bag for the school trip.
The baby's night lamp cast a soft warm glow across the nursery.
文法句型
night + noun (product designed for night)
用法筆記
Common in product names (night cream, night light) and clothing (night clothes, nightgown, nightshirt). The noun 'night' here acts like an adjective describing the product's purpose.
3. describes an event, service, or job that is scheduled to happen or operate durin
describes an event, service, or job that is scheduled to happen or operate during the night
Liang works the night shift at the city hospital every other week.
collocation: night shift
The night train from Vienna arrives at the station just before dawn.
A night flight to Tokyo departs from this gate at eleven o'clock.
The night bus runs every thirty minutes along the main road.
- nightly
means 'happening every night', not just 'happening at night'
- day
as in day shift, day train
文法句型
night + noun (scheduled activity)
用法筆記
Distinguish from the 'RELATING TO NIGHT' sense (adj/1): this sense is about scheduled activities (night shift, night flight), not inherent qualities (night air, night sky).
4. describes a living creature or person that is active or works mainly during the
describes a living creature or person that is active or works mainly during the night rather than the day
Owls are night hunters that catch mice and other small animals in the dark.
collocation: night hunter
Christopher is a night person who does his best work after midnight.
collocation: night person
Bats are night creatures that use sound waves to find their way.
The night guard makes a full round of the building every two hours.
- nocturnal
formal term for animals active at night
文法句型
night + noun (creature or person)
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with adj/3 ('night guard' could be either a scheduled job or a person active at night). The distinction is whether the focus is on the schedule (adj/3) or the nature of the being (adj/4). For animals, use adj/4; for transport, use adj/3.