ENGLISH
REFERENCE

nights

n. · adv.
US //ˈnaɪts// UK //nˈaɪts// nights
  1. 1 plural of night (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    more than one night.

    the plural form of 'night', referring to multiple periods between sunset and sunrise.

    Example

    The cat stayed outside for three nights before finally coming home.

    Example

    After several nights of heavy rain, the river began to overflow its banks, threatening the nearby farmland.
  2. 2 regularly at night (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    happening every night or during the night-time on a regular basis.

    functioning as an adverb of frequency to describe actions occurring habitually during the night.

    Example

    He works nights at the local hospital so he can sleep during the day.

    Example

    She typically works nights at the laboratory, preferring the quiet environment for her data analysis.

    Usage

    Often used without a preposition to describe work shifts or habits.
    Pitfall
    I work at nights.
    I work nights.

    When using 'nights' as an adverb to mean 'regularly at night', do not use the preposition 'at'.

Etymology 1

Inherited from Middle English nightes, from Old English nihtes (“at night, by night”), equivalent to night + -s (adverbial genitive suffix). Cognate with Old Frisian nachtes, Old Saxon nahtes, German nachts (all “nights, at night”).

Etymology 2

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 19, 2026