eventide

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "eventide" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a poetic or literary term used to refer to the period of time near sunset or evening. For example, "As the sun descended, the eventide sky set the mood for a peaceful night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Crucified on either side of Jesus were two convicted thieves, whom the soldiers dispatched at eventide by breaking their legs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The original cast of Dad's Army Whereas in the originals the only romantic action was between Mavis Pike and Mr Wilson, and the eventide love that blossomed between Jones and the bosomy Mrs Fox – I can't count Mr Mainwaring's relationship with the unseen and fearsome Elizabeth – we now have Pike, and a believably frisky Wilson, being pursued by femme fatale Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Independent

At its best Mr. Martin's work can recall Kent Haruf's early, darker, small-town Colorado novels, like "Where You Once Belonged," before he would go on to greater commercial success with the gentler National Book Award nominee "Plainsong" and its sequel "Eventide".

The New York Times - Books

After undergoing a four-month top-to-bottom renovation, Hugo's has just reopened, alongside the neighboring, immensely popular, Eventide Oyster Company, which the three partners also own.

The New York Times - Travel

Plainsong is a monastic chant; eventide is the old term for evening that figures in the spiritual "Abide With Me"; a benediction (an epigraph informs us) is "the utterance of a blessing, an invocation of blessedness".

The New York Times - Books

Kent Haruf's novels — "The Tie That Binds," "Where You Once Belonged," "Plainsong," "Eventide" and now "Benediction" — present slices from life in the fictional town of Holt, Colo., and they defy our expectation that literature rooted in a particular place should show how the place is changing.

The New York Times - Books

This summer alone, her "Eventide" can be seen in Paris, when the Vienna State Ballet performs there in July, and the Scottish Ballet will present two pieces at the Edinburgh Festival.

The New York Times - Arts

This year the poignancy and quiet ceremony of "Eventide" (1997), with its five male-female couples, showed how eloquently Mr. Taylor can work within this format.

The New York Times - Arts

(Not having live music is one thing, but what's wrong with the speakers?) Even with poor sound, "Eventide," a piece for five couples, was quietly spellbinding.

The New York Times - Arts

Throughout "Eventide" (1997), this fine cast, even better than the original, imparts a sensation of floating, as if to underscore the point that the stage is a repository of drifting memories.

The New York Times - Arts

The season's greatest revelation so far has been the revival of "Eventide" (1997), set, for five male-female couples, to Ralph Vaughan Williams's "Suite for Viola and Orchestra" and Hymn-Tunes Preludes, No. 1.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eventide" to evoke a sense of nostalgia, peace, or the end of a significant period. It is particularly effective in creative writing or when aiming for a slightly archaic or poetic tone.

Common error

Avoid using "eventide" in everyday conversation or informal writing, as it can sound stilted or overly formal. Opt for "evening" or "dusk" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "eventide" is that of a noun, referring to the evening or twilight. Ludwig confirms its validity. The examples provided illustrate its use as a descriptor of time, often in a poetic or literary context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Books

26%

Travel

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eventide" is a grammatically sound and usable word, although it carries a distinct literary or archaic flavor. As Ludwig AI suggests, its primary meaning is evening or twilight, and its usage is best suited for contexts where a touch of elegance or nostalgia is desired. While less common in everyday speech, its prevalence in literature, news, and other sources demonstrates its continued relevance in specific domains. Remember that while the term is valid, consider that it might sound outdated to most audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eveningtide

A less common but virtually synonymous alternative.

evening twilight

Focuses specifically on the light quality at the end of the day.

gloaming

Emphasizes the dim, fading light and often a sense of mystery.

close of day

More directly refers to the end of the working day or a period of activity.

sundown

Emphasizes the visual aspect of the sun disappearing below the horizon.

twilight hours

Highlights the period of fading light, suggesting a span of time.

nightfall

Highlights the transition into complete darkness.

dusk

Refers to the period just before night, emphasizing dim light.

sunset

Focuses on the event of the sun setting rather than the time period.

late day

A simple, less poetic way to refer to the end of the day.

FAQs

What does "eventide" mean?

"Eventide" is an archaic or literary term for evening or the time near sunset. It evokes a sense of peace and closure.

How can I use "eventide" in a sentence?

You might say, "As "eventide" approached, a sense of calm settled over the valley" or "The mist rises from the lake at "eventide"."

What are some alternatives to "eventide"?

Alternatives include "evening", "dusk", "twilight", or "nightfall", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "eventide" a commonly used word?

While grammatically correct, "eventide" is not a common word in modern conversation. It is more frequently found in literature, poetry, or formal writing aiming for a specific tone.