also: イヴ
eve; night before
Primarily refers to Christmas Eve (クリスマスイブ), but can be used for the eve of other events. A loanword from English 'eve'.
We gather with family on Christmas Eve.
I spent a quiet Christmas Eve with my girlfriend.
大晦日は新年のイブとも言える。
New Year's Eve can be called the eve of the new year.
On the eve of the wedding, I received a letter from my parents.
Most common katakana spelling; matches the priority reading.
Alternate katakana spelling; less common but still seen.
Loanword from English 'eve', entering Japanese primarily through the phrase クリスマスイブ (Christmas Eve).