eve

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈēv 

1

: evening

2

: the evening or the day before a special day

3

: the period immediately preceding

Eve

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈēv 

in the Bible : the first woman, the wife of Adam, and the mother of Cain and Abel

Synonyms of eve

Noun (1)

• night
• evening
• dusk
• sunset
• twilight

Examples of eve in a Sentence

Noun (1)

from morn to eve the settlers toiled to eke a living from the harsh land

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On the eve of the United States’ birthday, take a trip with The Associated Press across a changing Washington. — Gary Fields, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

The country’s first civil war began on the eve of independence and lasted from 1955 until 1972, when the southerners, who were largely Christian or animists, revolted against the repressive and exploitative control of the government in Khartoum. — Janine Di Giovanni, Vanity Fair, 25 June 2026

Because of previous demand, over 20,000 people had been employed in buckle manufacture in the Birmingham area, but when this aristocratic fashion suddenly collapsed in 1786 on the eve of the French Revolution, their trade collapsed along with it. — Literary Hub, 25 June 2026

The Boston Celtics and Heat gained steam as the leading suitors in the Giannis sweepstakes on the eve of the NBA Draft. — Alejandro Avila, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English eve, even

Noun (2)

Old English Ēfe, from Late Latin Eva, from Hebrew Ḥawwāh

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing eve

• adam-and-eve

Rhymes for eve

• breve
• cleave
• cleeve
• cleve
• eave
• grieve
• heave
• leave
• lieve
• neve
• reeve
• sheave

Kids Definition

eve

noun

ˈēv 

1

: evening

2

: the evening or the day before a special day

New Year's Eve

3

: the period just before an important event