noun
eve
eev
noun
1
The day or evening before an event, especially a holiday.
"They always open presents on Christmas Eve."
"The team held a party on the eve of the tournament."
2
The period just before something important happens.
"On the eve of the election, polls showed a close race."
How to Use Eve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe day or moment right before something happens.
Common pairings
Christmas Eve
New Year's Eve
on the eve of
Word Forms
eves plural
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They always open presents on Christmas _____.
Etymology
From Middle English even ("evening"), from Old English ǣfen. Medieval days ran sunset to sunset, so the night before a holiday counted as part of it.