Evening is the period of the day that begins at the end of daylight and overlaps with the beginning of night, typically when the sun is close to the horizon. It generally starts around 5 or 6 p.m. and lasts until about 9 p.m. to midnight, depending on location, season, and cultural context
. It is characterized by the transition from daylight to darkness as the sun sets, marking a time when many people wind down from daytime activities and engage in leisure, social gatherings, or relaxation
. The exact start and end times of evening are subjective and vary by region and lifestyle, but it is commonly understood as the latter part of the day following the afternoon and preceding night
. Etymologically, the word "evening" comes from Old English ǣfnung , meaning the time around sunset or the coming of evening
. In summary, evening is the time from late afternoon or sunset until nightfall or bedtime, serving as a bridge between day and night.