overnight shift — a work period that takes place during the night, typically from late evening to early morning
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a work period that takes place during the night, typically from late evening to early morning
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈoʊvərnaɪt ʃɪft/
Example Sentences
- My dad says overnight shift is when vampires go to work and normal people count sheep.
- Security guards often work overnight shifts to protect buildings when everyone else is sleeping.
- She became a coffee expert after working overnight shifts at the 24-hour cafe.
overnight shift
NOUN[/ˈoʊvərnaɪt ʃɪft/]
a work period that takes place during the night, typically from late evening to early morning
a work period that takes place during the night, typically from late evening to early morning
Work overnight until the morning sight turns bright!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Overnight derives from Old English 'ofer' (over) and 'niht' (night), literally meaning 'throughout the night' or 'during a single night'. Shift originates from Old English 'sciftan', meaning 'to divide' or 'to change', which evolved to denote a rotation or turn of duty. The compound 'overnight shift' emerged in modern English to describe work performed during nighttime hours as part of a rotating schedule.
Breakdown
Over- (prefix meaning 'across, throughout') + night (Old English 'niht', the period of darkness) + shift (Old English 'sciftan', to divide or rotate). The construction combines a temporal modifier with an occupational term to specify work duty occurring during nocturnal hours.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My dad says overnight shift is when vampires go to work and normal people count sheep.”
“Security guards often work overnight shifts to protect buildings when everyone else is sleeping.”
“She became a coffee expert after working overnight shifts at the 24-hour cafe.”
“Working overnight shift made him realize that 3 AM is when the weirdest customers appear.”
📚Related Words
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