Definition

1. Noun:
   • The latter part of the day and early part of the night: The period of time from the end of the afternoon until nightfall or bedtime.
   • A specific event or activity occurring during this time: An occasion, such as a social gathering or performance, that takes place in the evening.
   • (Figurative) A concluding or declining period: The later stages of something, such as a period in history or a person's life.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Time of Day):
  • We went for a walk in the cool of the evening.
  • The evening sky was painted with shades of orange and purple.
• Noun (Social Event):
  • They hosted a lovely evening for their friends.
  • The gallery opening was a successful evening.
• Noun (Figurative Use):
  • In the evening of his life, he took up painting.

Advanced Usage

• "of an evening" (British English, informal): On most evenings; in the evenings.
  • He likes to read of an evening.
• "Evening!" (as a greeting): A shortened, informal greeting used in the late afternoon or early evening, equivalent to "Good evening."
  • Evening! How are you today?

Variants and Related Words

• Evenings (adverb, informal): In the evening; regularly during the evening.
  • I work evenings.
• Eveningwear (noun): Formal clothing suitable for evening events.
• Eventide (noun, archaic/poetic): Evening.

Synonyms

• Dusk: The darker stage of twilight, very close to night.
• Twilight: The soft, diffused light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon, especially in the evening.
• Nightfall: The onset of night; the beginning of darkness.

Related Phrases

• Good evening: A formal greeting used in the evening.
• Evening primrose: A type of plant with flowers that open in the evening.
• Evening star: A planet, especially Venus, visible in the western sky after sunset.

Idioms

• The evening of life: The later years of a person's life.
  • He reflected on his achievements in the evening of his life.
• Make an evening of it: To extend an activity so that it lasts for the whole evening.
  • Let's go for dinner and a movie and really make an evening of it.

Noun

1. the early part of night (from dinner until bedtime) spent in a special way
   • an evening at the opera
2. a later concluding time period
   • it was the evening of the Roman Empire
3. the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
   • he enjoyed the evening light across the lake