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Definition of eave

eave

/iːv/
eave
Plural:eaves
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eave Lexical Profile

eave Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The lower edge of a roof that projects beyond the wall of a building to throw off rainwater (usually used in the plural, 'eaves').

Example

"A pair of barn swallows built their mud nest directly beneath the front eave of the farmhouse."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for eave

Word Nuance & Usage

Most commonly used in the plural form 'eaves' to refer collectively to the lower overhanging edges of a roof, even when referring to a single building.

• Rhymes for eave

• Nearby Words

eatable
eater
eatery
eave
eaves
eavesdrop
eavesdropper

Word Origin & Etymology

A back-formation from 'eaves', which was originally a singular noun from Old English 'efes' ('edge of a roof' or 'border of a forest'), later reinterpreted in Middle English as a plural form.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Eave. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/eave
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