I. ˈēv-niŋ noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ǣfnung, from ǣfnian to grow toward evening, from ǣfen evening; akin to Old High German āband evening and perhaps to Greek epi on
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : the latter part and close of the day and early part of the night
b. chiefly Southern & Midland : afternoon
c. : the period from sunset or the evening meal to bedtime
2. : the latter portion
3. : the period of an evening's entertainment
II. adjective
Date: 1797
: suitable for formal or semiformal evening social occasions
evening dress
evening clothes