Goodnight Meaning
/ɡˈʊˌdnaɪt/Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
phraseAlternative spelling of good night.
nounAn instance of saying “good night”; a nighttime farewell.
Sentence Examples
She kissed me on the cheek and said goodnight.
I have to say goodnight now.
CEFR Practice Quiz
As she turned off the light, she whispered ____ to her daughter.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Please remember to say ____ to your parents before you go upstairs to bed for the evening.
Word Origin & History
From good + night.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I pray you ſpeake not: he growes worſe & worſe / Queſtion enrages him: at once, goodnight."
— c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv], page 142, column 2:
"So goodnight to you—and goodnight, Councilor."
— 1914 September – 1915 May, Arthur Conan Doyle, “Lodge 341, Vermissa”, in The Valley of Fear: A Sherlock Holmes Novel, New York, N.Y.: George H[enry] Doran Company, published 27 February 1915, →OCLC, part II (The Scowrers), page 213:
"At last the pupils had all taken their hats and said their “Goodnights,” and Adam, knowing his old master's habits, rose and said, “Shall I put the candles out, Mr. Massey?”"
— 1859, George Eliot [pseudonym; Mary Ann Evans], Adam Bede […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Edinburgh; London: William Blackwood and Sons, →OCLC:
"The afternoon passed into evening, and the sparrows began to twitter their goodnights in their lodgings on the roof and crevices of the chimney; […]"
— 1873, E. H. D. Kay, Emma Simonet, Twilight Stories, page 153:
"George wakes, hearing the confused goodnights of the departing guests."
— 1919, Monica M. Gardner, The Anonymous Poet of Poland: Zygmunt Krasinski, page 114:
Explore More A1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
As she turned off the light, she whispered ____ to her daughter.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Please remember to say ____ to your parents before you go upstairs to bed for the evening.