Tonight: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
tonight
[tษหnaษชt ]
Definitions
time
during the night of the present day or night
Synonyms
this evening, this night, this night-time.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| tonight |
Used when referring to the upcoming period from now until bedtime or midnight. It's informal and common in everyday conversation.
|
| this evening |
Refers to the time period from late afternoon until bedtime. It's slightly more formal and precise than 'tonight'.
|
| this night |
Rarely used in modern English and can sound old-fashioned or poetic. Generally used in literary or dramatic contexts.
|
| this night-time |
Mainly used in literary or descriptive contexts. It emphasizes the nighttime period and is less common in everyday speech.
|
Examples of usage
- I have an important meeting tonight.
- Let's go out for dinner tonight.
- The concert is happening tonight.
- I will finish my work tonight.
- We can watch a movie tonight.
time
the present or the coming night
Synonyms
this evening, this night, this night-time.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| tonight |
Used to refer to the period from the present evening up until the early hours of the next day; common in casual conversation, plans, and events.
|
| this evening |
Used for a slightly more formal or specific reference to the early part of the night, generally until around 9 or 10 PM. It is often used in schedules, plans, or polite conversation.
|
| this night |
Rarely used in modern English and may sound archaic or poetic. It can be used for dramatic effect in literature or storytelling.
|
| this night-time |
Seldom used in daily conversation, it emphasizes the whole period of night, usually for descriptive purposes, especially in writing or poetry.
|
Examples of usage
- We have plans for tonight.
- What are you doing tonight?
- I can't wait for tonight.
- Tonight is going to be great.
- The party is tonight.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from Middle English, combining 'to' and 'night' to describe the time from now until dark.
- In Old English, the term 'niht' indicated a significant divide between day and night.
- Its use has been around since at least the 14th century, emphasizing the conceptโs importance in daily life.
Cultural Significance
- Many cultures celebrate events during this time, such as New Yearโs Eve, where 'tonight' is synonymous with new beginnings.
- 'Tonight' is often used in literature to set a tone of mystery or anticipation, making readers feel the weight of what might happen in the dark.
- Various festivals around the world, like Diwali and Hanukkah, involve traditions that coincide with specific nights, highlighting their cultural importance.
Science
- The night sky becomes visible due to the rotation of the Earth, allowing for various astronomical phenomena like constellations and planets to be observed.
- Nighttime has different ecological effects, with many animals being nocturnal and more active during this cooler period.
- Studies show that exposure to natural darkness during 'tonight' is essential for sleep quality and overall health due to managing melatonin production.
Pop Culture
- Songs like 'Tonight' from West Side Story and other popular music pieces celebrate emotional themes of love and longing that occur during the night.
- Movies often use nighttime settings to create suspense or depict pivotal scenes that change character destinies.
- 'Tonight' is commonly featured in social events and gatherings where evening becomes synonymous with fun, such as date nights or parties.
Psychology
- The concept of 'tonight' can invoke feelings of excitement or anxiety, depending on what it holds for the individual.
- Our perception of time changes during this period, as people often reflect on their day and plan for the next, making it a time of personal contemplation.
- Nighttime has been shown to affect our mood and behavior, with studies indicating that social interactions often become deeper under the cover of darkness.
Translations
Translations of the word "tonight" in other languages:
๐ต๐น esta noite
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเค เคฐเคพเคค
๐ฉ๐ช heute Nacht
๐ฎ๐ฉ malam ini
๐บ๐ฆ ััะพะณะพะดะฝั ะฒะฒะตัะตัั
๐ต๐ฑ dziล wieczorem
๐ฏ๐ต ไปๅค (ใใใ)
๐ซ๐ท ce soir
๐ช๐ธ esta noche
๐น๐ท bu gece
๐ฐ๐ท ์ค๋ ๋ฐค
๐ธ๐ฆ ูุฐู ุงููููุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ dnes veฤer
๐ธ๐ฐ dnes veฤer
๐จ๐ณ ไปๆ (jฤซn wวn)
๐ธ๐ฎ nocoj
๐ฎ๐ธ รญ kvรถld
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฑาฏะณัะฝ ัาฏะฝ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแฆแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ bu gecษ
๐ฒ๐ฝ esta noche
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #4,963, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.
- ...
- 4960 adjoining
- 4961 apt
- 4962 territorial
- 4963 tonight
- 4964 pig
- 4965 continuity
- 4966 residue
- ...