evening
EEV-nihng
Evening (noun) means the part of the day between afternoon and night. Example: “It was a quiet evening, so we sat on the porch and talked.”
noun
1
The part of the day between afternoon and night.
"It was a quiet evening, so we sat on the porch and talked."
"We usually eat dinner in the evening."
"She spends her evenings reading."
2
A social gathering held in the evening.
"The school is holding a quiz evening to raise money for new books."
"Our neighbours organised a games evening for everyone on the street."
"The charity hosted an evening of music and speeches."
How to use evening
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe stretch of day between afternoon and nightfall.
Common pairings
good evening
this evening
evening news
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Word forms
- Plural
- evenings
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It was a quiet _____, so we sat on the porch and talked.
Etymology
From Old English ǣfnung, "becoming evening," derived from ǣfen ("eve").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for evening
opening
widening
awakening
happening
weakening
deafening
maddening
listening
gardening
sickening
fattening
screening
See all rhymes for evening →
Frequently asked questions
What does “evening” mean?
The word “evening” means the part of the day between afternoon and night. In plain terms, the stretch of day between afternoon and nightfall.
How do you pronounce “evening”?
“Evening” is pronounced EEV-nihng (/ˈiv.nɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “evening” in a sentence?
Here is “evening” used in a sentence: “We usually eat dinner in the evening.”
What is another word for “evening”?
Words with a similar meaning to “evening” include een, eve, even, eventide, eveningtide and eveningtime.
What is the opposite of “evening”?
The opposite of “evening” — its antonyms — is morning.
What part of speech is “evening”?
“Evening” is a noun.
Where does the word “evening” come from?
The word “evening” comes from Old English. From Old English ǣfnung, "becoming evening," derived from ǣfen ("eve").
Is “evening” a common word?
“Evening” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What time does the evening start and end?
There is no fixed clock time, but evening is generally taken to run from about 5 or 6 pm until night sets in around 8 or 9 pm. It loosely begins as the working afternoon ends and stretches toward bedtime hours. The exact boundaries shift with season, daylight, and local habit.
What is the difference between evening and night?
Evening is the transition from afternoon toward darkness, when the day is winding down but activity continues — dinner, socialising, relaxing. Night is the fully dark period that follows, associated with sleep and late hours. Evening feels sociable and still active; night feels quiet and dark. The two blend gradually rather than at a set time.
What is the difference between evening and afternoon?
Afternoon runs from around noon until roughly 5 pm, covering the middle and later part of the working day. Evening follows, from about 5 or 6 pm into the darker hours. The handover is not precise, but afternoon is linked to daylight and work, while evening leans toward the end of the day and relaxation.
Why do we say good evening?
"Good evening" is a polite greeting used from roughly early evening onward, replacing "good afternoon" as the day draws to a close. Unlike "good night," which is a farewell said when parting or heading to bed, "good evening" is a greeting used on meeting someone during the evening hours.
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