noun
Common
eve
eev
Eve (noun) means the day or evening before an event, especially a holiday. Example: “They always open presents on Christmas Eve.”
noun
1
The day or evening before an event, especially a holiday.
"They always open presents on Christmas Eve."
"The team held a party on the eve of the tournament."
"We stayed up late on New Year's Eve to watch the fireworks."
2
The period just before something important happens.
"On the eve of the election, polls showed a close race."
"The company was on the eve of a major change."
"On the eve of her departure, she felt both excited and afraid."
How to use eve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe day or moment right before something happens.
Common pairings
Christmas Eve
New Year's Eve
on the eve of
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Word forms
- Plural
- eves
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They always open presents on Christmas _____.
Etymology
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.
Related words
Rhymes for eve
See all rhymes for eve →Frequently asked questions
What does “eve” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “eve”?
“Eve” is pronounced eev (/iːv/ in IPA).
How do you use “eve” in a sentence?
Here is “eve” used in a sentence: “They always open presents on Christmas Eve.”
What is another word for “eve”?
Words with a similar meaning to “eve” include eventide and forenight.
What part of speech is “eve”?
“Eve” is a noun.
Where does the word “eve” come from?
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.
Is “eve” a common word?
“Eve” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “eve” have?
“Eve” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the day or evening before an event, especially a holiday.
What is the difference between "eve" and "evening"?
"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.
When is "Eve" capitalized?
"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.
What is the difference between "eve" and "vigil"?
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.
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