Definition

1. Adverb:
   • During the night of the present day: Refers to the period of time from the late afternoon through the night of the current day.

Usage

• The phrase "this evening" is used to specify an event or action that will occur or is occurring on the night of the current day. It is a temporal adverb that situates an action in the near future relative to the time of speaking.

Examples

• Adverb:
  • I will call you this evening. (I will call you during the night of today.)
  • We are meeting for dinner this evening. (We are meeting for dinner during the night of today.)
  • The concert starts at eight this evening. (The concert starts at eight o'clock during the night of today.)

Advanced Usage

• As a temporal reference point: "This evening" can be used to contrast with other times, such as "this morning" or "tomorrow evening."
  • I was busy this morning, but I am free this evening.
• Implied immediacy: It often carries an expectation that the event is scheduled for the same day, creating a sense of near-future planning.

Variants and Related Words

• Tonight (adverb): During the coming night; on the night of today. Often used interchangeably with "this evening," though "tonight" can emphasize the later part of the night.
  • The show is on tonight.
• This afternoon (adverb): During the afternoon of the present day.
• This morning (adverb): During the morning of the present day.

Synonyms

• Tonight: On this present night or the coming night.
• Later today: At a time later on the same day (can be broader than just the evening).

Related Phrases

• This very evening: An emphatic form stressing that the event will happen on the specific evening of today.
  • I need the report finished this very evening.
• Early this evening: Specifying the earlier part of the evening.
  • I'll arrive early this evening.

Adverb

1. during the night of the present day
   • drop by tonight