WordGarden.iogoodnight
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɡʊdnˈaɪt/
US
- /ˈɡʊdˌnaɪt/
Meanings
Interjection
used to say farewell at night or before going to sleep
Noun
an expression or act of saying farewell at night
Beyond the definition
"Goodnight" is what people say at the end of the day when someone is going to bed or when they are parting for the night. It is more than a simple "goodbye" because it also carries a kind wish for rest and peaceful sleep. You can picture a parent tucking a child into bed and softly saying "goodnight" with care.
People use it when leaving late in the evening, when ending a phone call at night, or right before sleep. It is often said with phrases like "Sweet dreams" or "Sleep tight." In standard English, this expression is usually written as two words, "good night," but the one-word form also appears in informal writing, titles, and some set uses. It feels warm, familiar, and gently caring.
"Goodnight" is a bedtime or evening farewell that people use when someone is going to sleep or when they are leaving at the end of the day. It is warmer than a plain "goodbye" because it also suggests a wish for rest, comfort, and peaceful sleep. When someone says it, they are not only ending the conversation but also gently marking the close of the day.
It often carries affection and care. A parent saying "goodnight" to a child may be offering comfort and love. Friends, partners, and family members also use it in messages, phone calls, and face-to-face conversation. In many homes, it becomes part of a nightly routine, so the word can feel calm, familiar, and personal.
"Goodnight" can be used when you are going to bed yourself, when you are leaving someone late in the evening, or when you are ending a call or chat at night. It also appears in stories, poems, songs, and titles because it has a soft and memorable tone. In some cases, people use related forms such as "say your goodnights," where it acts more like a noun.
One important note is spelling. In standard modern English, the usual form of the farewell is "good night" as two words. The closed form "goodnight" is still seen, especially in informal writing, creative works, and as a named entry for the idea itself. Either way, the meaning stays close to the same: it is a small, kind expression that closes the day and wishes someone well before sleep.
Examples
- 1
Bedtime farewell
"Goodnight, everyone. See you in the morning."
- 2
Phone call
She called her son to say goodnight before his trip.
- 3
Bedtime routine
He kissed the children goodnight and turned off the hallway light.
- Patternkiss someone goodnight
kiss them before saying goodnight
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- goodnight