eve

The word “eve” means the day or evening before an event, especially a holiday. In plain terms, the day or moment right before something happens.

“Eve” is pronounced eev (/iːv/ in IPA).

Here is “eve” used in a sentence: “They always open presents on Christmas Eve.”

Words with a similar meaning to “eve” include eventide and forenight.

“Eve” is a noun.

The word “eve” comes from Old English. From Middle English even ("evening"), from Old English ǣfen. Medieval days ran sunset to sunset, so the night before a holiday counted as part of it.

“Eve” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Eve” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the day or evening before an event, especially a holiday.

"Evening" is the time of day between afternoon and night. "Eve" is the day or night before a special event, as in "Christmas Eve," or figuratively the period just before something important happens. The two share an old root but are now used differently.

"Eve" is capitalized when it forms part of the name of a specific occasion, such as Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve. In general use — "the eve of battle" — it stays lowercase.

An "eve" is simply the day or evening before an event. A "vigil" is a period of staying awake, often to keep watch or pray, and can take place on the eve of a religious feast; the eve is the timing, while the vigil is the activity.