eve

eve · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The day or period of time immediately before an event or occasion.

  2. 2.

    The evening or day before a religious holiday or festival.

  3. 3.

    (Literary) Evening.

Forms

plural: eves

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    Christmas Eve — December 24th
  • •
    New Year's Eve — December 31st
  • •
    on the eve of — just before an important event
  • •
    All Hallows' Eve — Halloween (October 31st)

Related words

Antonyms: day after, morning
See also: evening, holiday, night
Synonyms: evening, night before, vigil

Etymology

From Middle English eve, shortened form of even ("evening"), from Old English aefen ("evening").