Evening usually begins around 5 or 6 p.m. and lasts until bedtime, often about 9 p.m. The Britannica Dictionary gives 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. as a common range. The Oxford English Dictionary starts evening at about 6 p.m., or at sunset if that comes earlier. No official clock time exists.
The question “what time is evening” sounds simple, but dictionaries, astronomers, and everyday speakers each answer it a little differently. This article explains where those answers come from. It also shows how to avoid confusion when you make plans or greet someone.
Key takeaways
- Most reference sources place the start of evening between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. and the end near bedtime or 9 p.m.
- Sunset changes the feel of evening. In London in 2026, sunset ranges from about 3:52 p.m. in December to about 9:23 p.m. in June.
- Evening overlaps with twilight, and the sky is not fully dark until the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon.
- For invitations and schedules, a clock time works better than the word “evening.”
What time is evening according to dictionaries?
Dictionaries agree on the shape of evening but not its exact hours. It follows the afternoon, overlaps the start of night, and ends around bedtime. Where they give numbers, the start falls between 5 and 6 p.m.
The Britannica Dictionary offers the most specific breakdown. It lists evening as 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with early evening from 5 to 7 p.m., and it begins at night at 9 p.m. It describes these as approximate times that many people would agree with, not fixed rules. It also notes that lifestyle and daylight hours at different times of year shift the boundaries.
The Oxford English Dictionary places the start at about 6 p.m., or at sunset if that is earlier, and runs it to bedtime. Merriam-Webster describes evening as the latter part of the day and the early part of the night. It also lists a sense running from sunset or the evening meal to bedtime. Collins English Dictionary describes it as the latter part of the day, especially from late afternoon until nightfall.
| Source | Evening starts | Evening ends |
| Britannica Dictionary | 5 p.m. | About 9 p.m. |
| Oxford English Dictionary | About 6 p.m., or sunset if earlier | Bedtime |
| Merriam-Webster | Late in the day; sunset or the evening meal | Bedtime |
| Collins English Dictionary | Late afternoon | Nightfall |
Why evening has no single clock time
Evening is defined by light, habit, and routine rather than by a rule. Morning and afternoon are separated by noon, which has a precise definition. Evening has no equivalent marker, and reference works note that the boundary between afternoon and evening has no standard definition.
Sunset and the seasons
Sunset is the most common reference point, and it moves a lot. In 2026, London’s earliest sunset is about 3:52 p.m. in mid-December, and its latest is about 9:23 p.m. in late June. New York’s range is narrower, from about 4:30 p.m. in early December to about 8:32 p.m. in late June. These figures may differ slightly in other years, and local clock changes for daylight saving time shift the clock times.
This is why 6 p.m. can feel like a full night in December and like the middle of the afternoon in June. It also explains why the Oxford definition includes “or sunset if earlier.”
Meals, work, and regional usage
Daily routines shape the word too. Merriam-Webster’s sense tied to the evening meal reflects how people mark time by dinner rather than by the sky. Work matters as well. Writing guidance from Quillbot notes that 6 p.m. is typically early evening, but people may call it late afternoon if the workday is still running and it is light outside.
Regional usage differs. Merriam-Webster records a use of “evening” meaning afternoon, chiefly in the Southern and Midland United States. Collins also lists a dialect sense covering the period between noon and sunset. A Southern speaker who suggests meeting “this evening” may mean mid-afternoon.
Evening and twilight: what the sky is doing
Twilight is the period after sunset when the sky is still lit even though the sun is below the horizon. It is measured by the sun’s angle, and it falls within the evening hours. The US National Weather Service defines three stages.
| Stage | Sun’s center below the horizon | What you can expect |
| Civil twilight | 0° to 6° | Begins at sunset; the brightest planets appear |
| Nautical twilight | 6° to 12° | The horizon is still visible, but outdoor activity needs artificial light |
| Astronomical twilight | 12° to 18° | The horizon is hard to see; fainter stars become visible |
| Full darkness | Beyond 18° | The faintest objects can be observed |
EarthSky reports that civil twilight lasts about half an hour on average at mid-latitudes. Near the poles in summer the sun may never drop 18 degrees below the horizon, so twilight can last all night. In those places, “evening” and “night” blur together even more.
Evening compared with afternoon and night
Evening sits between two neighbors, and each boundary behaves differently.
Where afternoon ends
The Britannica Dictionary runs the afternoon from noon to 5 p.m., with late afternoon at 4 to 5 p.m. Quillbot points out that afternoon begins at a precise time, midday, while evening has no exact starting time. Around 5 to 6 p.m. either word can be correct. If you are still at work and the sun is up, “late afternoon” sounds natural. If you are heading to dinner, “early evening” does.
Where evening ends
The Britannica Dictionary starts at night at 9 p.m. Everyday speech is looser. According to Quillbot, people often say “night” for plans that start in the evening but may run late, as in “prom night” or “movie night.” So an 8 p.m. event can be called an evening event or a night out, depending on how long it will last.
When to say “good evening”
Use “good evening” as a greeting after about 5 or 6 p.m., or earlier if it is already dark. Use “good night” only as a farewell. These are conventions rather than rules, and they vary by workplace and region.
Language-learning resources generally describe “good evening” as a greeting like “hello” and “good night” as a way to say goodbye. That means a greeting at 9 p.m. is still “good evening.” If you are unsure, follow the other person’s lead.
How to make evening plans clear
Because the word is flexible, a few habits prevent missed meetings:
- Give an exact time. “6:30 p.m.” leaves no room for doubt.
- Add a time zone for remote plans. “Evening” for you may be mid-afternoon for the other person.
- Avoid the word for mixed audiences. Readers in regions that use “evening” for the afternoon may take it differently.
- State an end time for late events. “Night” or a finish time signals that the plan will run past the early evening.
Frequently asked questions
Is it 5 p.m. evening or afternoon?
It can be either. The Britannica Dictionary starts evening at 5 p.m., so it is reasonable to treat 5 p.m. as early evening. If you are still at work and it is light outside, calling it late afternoon is also normal. Context decides, so give an exact time when it matters.
Is it 6 p.m. in the evening?
Usually yes. The Oxford English Dictionary places the start of evening at about 6 p.m., or at sunset if that is earlier. The Britannica Dictionary counts 6 p.m. as early evening. During northern winters, 6 p.m. falls well after sunset in cities such as London and New York, which makes the label even more natural.
Is it 8 p.m. evening or night?
Both labels work. The Britannica Dictionary places 8 p.m. in the evening, with night starting around 9 p.m. In practice, people often say “night” for plans that run late, such as a movie night, even when the start time is 8 p.m. If the distinction matters, state the clock time.
What time does evening end?
Most definitions end in the evening at bedtime. The Britannica Dictionary puts the boundary at about 9 p.m., when night begins, while the Oxford English Dictionary points to bedtime and Collins to nightfall. Because bedtimes and nightfall vary, the end of evening is looser than its start.
Does evening start at sunset?
Not necessarily. Sunset is a common reference point, but the Oxford English Dictionary says evening starts at about 6 p.m. or at sunset, whichever comes first. That means evening can begin while the sun is still up. In summer, London’s sunset can fall after 9 p.m., long after most people would say evening has started.
Does evening mean the same thing in every English-speaking country?
Mostly, but not entirely. The core meaning is shared: evening follows the afternoon. Merriam-Webster notes a chiefly Southern and Midland US use, and Collins lists a dialect sense, where evening covers the afternoon. When writing for mixed audiences, an exact time avoids the mismatch.
Conclusion
Evening has no single official start time, but most sources place it between 5 and 6 p.m. and end it around bedtime or 9 p.m. Sunset, season, work habits, and regional speech all move the boundaries. For greetings, “good evening” fits after roughly 5 or 6 p.m. For plans, an exact clock time and time zone are the safest choice.