good night
good night
Pronunciation
good night /ˌɡʊd ˈnaɪt/
good /ɡʊd/
/ɡ/ - voiced velar stop
/ʊ/ - near-close near-back rounded vowel
/d/ - voiced alveolar stop
night /naɪt/
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal
/aɪ/ - diphthong (as in "my")
/t/ - voiceless alveolar stop
Word Form Variations
"Good night" is primarily an interjection or a noun phrase. It does not typically have variations like singular/plural forms in the way a common noun would. However, it can be used in different grammatical constructions:
Noun Phrase: good night (as in "have a good night")
Interjection: Good night! (as a farewell)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Interjection
Definition 1: A conventional expression of farewell used when parting company in the evening or before going to bed.
Synonyms: farewell, cheerio (informal), bye-bye, see you later
Antonyms: good morning, hello, good day (as a greeting)
Noun Phrase
Definition 1: The period of time extending from dusk to dawn, especially as a unit of time for sleep or rest.
Synonyms: nighttime, evening, night
Antonyms: daytime, morning, day
Definition 2: (Figurative) The end or termination of something; a final cessation.
Synonyms: demise, end, conclusion, finish, close, quietus
Antonyms: beginning, start, inception, dawn
Examples of Use
Books:
"Before he closed his eyes, he heard his mother whisper from the doorway, 'Good night, my sweet child.'" (From an unnamed children's bedtime story)
"As the clock struck midnight, she bid her reflection a weary 'Good night' and climbed into bed, hoping for a better tomorrow." (From a contemporary romance novel)
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"The headline read: 'Good Night, Sweet Prince: A Tribute to the Departed Actor,' mourning the loss of a beloved performer." (Fictional headline from a reputable online news source like The New York Times or The Guardian)
"In an editorial piece discussing the day's political turmoil, one columnist concluded, 'And so, as the sun sets on another chaotic day, we can only hope for a good night's rest and a clearer vision in the morning.'" (From an opinion piece on The Washington Post online)
"The travel blog post was titled 'A Good Night's Sleep Under the Stars: Camping in the Dolomites,' detailing tips for comfortable outdoor slumber." (From a travel blog like Lonely Planet)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: (Character exiting a scene) "Well, I suppose that's a good night for me. See you all tomorrow." (Dialogue from a dramatic film, e.g., Casablanca or When Harry Met Sally...)
Television: (Host addressing the audience at the end of a late-night show) "And that's all the time we have for tonight, folks. From all of us here, have a good night!" (Typical closing from The Tonight Show or Saturday Night Live)
Music: "Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite..." (Traditional lullaby, widely known and sung)
Video Games: (Message displayed after saving progress and exiting the game late at night) "Game saved. Good night, player!" (From a video game like Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing)
Podcasts: "Thanks for tuning in to this week's episode. We'll be back next Tuesday. Until then, have a good night and stay safe." (Closing remarks from a popular podcast)
General Public Discourse:
(At a social gathering, leaving): "It's getting late, I should probably head out. Good night, everyone!" (Common farewell among friends or family)
(Parent to child at bedtime): "Time for bed, sweetheart. Good night." (Everyday interaction in households)
(On a phone call, before hanging up): "Alright, I'll talk to you tomorrow. Good night!" (Casual closing to a phone conversation)
(Online forum/social media comment): "Just finished a long shift. Time for a good night's rest! 😴" (User comment on platforms like Reddit or X/Twitter)
10 Famous Quotes Using Good night
"Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, / That I shall say good night till it be morrow." (William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet)
"Good night, sweet prince, / And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!" (William Shakespeare, Hamlet)
"I'm going to get a good night's sleep tonight. I haven't had one in days." (From the film Gone with the Wind, character Scarlett O'Hara)
"And so, as Tiny Tim observed, 'God bless Us, Every One!' including Ebenezer Scrooge, who had a good night's sleep, for a change." (Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol)
"They slipped on down the track a piece and when I got there I didn't see them. I called out, 'Good night!' and I guess that was that." (Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms)
"Good night, ladies, good night, sweet ladies, good night, good night." (T.S. Eliot, The Waste Land)
"I have to get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow's a big day." (Often attributed to various sports figures or political leaders before significant events)
"Good night, and good luck." (Edward R. Murrow, famous closing line from his television broadcasts)
"The clock strikes eight! We'll have a good night." (From the song "Good Night" by The Beatles)
"And at last, I am a free man, a free man indeed. Good night, Babylon." (Bob Marley, often associated with sentiments of liberation)
Etymology
The phrase "good night" is a combination of two old English words: "good" and "night."
"Good" comes from the Old English word "gōd," which meant "excellent," "valuable," or "desirable." Over time, it developed senses like "kind" or "favorable."
"Night" comes from the Old English word "niht" (or "neaht"), referring to the dark part of the day. This word has deep roots in many ancient languages, all tracing back to a very old word (from what's called Proto-Indo-European) that meant "night" or "to be dark."
So, when you put them together, "good night" essentially means "have a good night" or "I wish you a good night." It's a wish for someone to experience a pleasant and peaceful period during the night, especially for sleep.
The first known use of "good night" as a phrase for parting or when someone is going to bed dates back to the Middle English period, around the late 1200s or early 1300s. The Oxford English Dictionary points to an early use around 1275 in the writings of the poet Laȝamon. This shows that people have been using this polite farewell for hundreds of years.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Good night
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "good night" or its close synonyms, ranging from common to lesser-known, and including some with similar effect:
Good night, sleep tight (don't let the bed bugs bite): A common, often playful, farewell before sleep.
To bid someone good night: To say farewell to someone in the evening.
To have a good night: To enjoy one's evening or to have a pleasant sleep.
To call it a good night: To decide to end an activity or social gathering for the evening.
A good night's rest/sleep: A sufficient and refreshing period of sleep.
Good night, sweet prince: A famous farewell, often used metaphorically to mark the end of something great.
To say your good nights: To offer farewells to everyone before leaving.
To make a good night of it: To ensure an evening is enjoyable and memorable.
Till good night: Until the evening or until it's time to sleep (less common).
To be out like a light: To fall asleep very quickly (using a synonym for a "good" or easy sleep).
Sleep like a log: To sleep very soundly and deeply (another synonym for good sleep).
Hit the hay/sack: To go to bed (idiomatic way to describe going to get a good night's rest).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of good night from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
