Eaves
noun
Definition
The edge of a roof that sticks out over the walls
Context Alive
During the sudden rainstorm, the group of friends huddled together under the eaves of the old bookshop, watching the water drip down from the roof’s edge while they waited for the downpour to pass. At least they stayed mostly dry.
Meanings
1 meaning
1
Edge of Roof That Projects Beyond Walls (Noun) — COMMON
Common
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This meaning is about the part of a roof that extends past the building’s walls. Picture looking at a house and noticing how the eaves stick out beyond the walls, creating a small sheltered strip where rainwater drips away from the building. This is what eaves are. You might stand under the eaves to avoid rain, or notice birds nesting under the eaves of your house. Or think about an old cottage with wide eaves that keep the walls protected from heavy storms. The word points to this practical architectural feature.
Vivid ExampleEvery spring, a family of sparrows built their nest under the eaves of Grandma’s farmhouse, tucking it safely into the sheltered corner where the roof extended past the wall. She loved watching the baby birds peek out.
Examples from the Street
“Birds have built a nest under the eaves.”
Some birds made their home in the sheltered space where the roof hangs over the wall
“Stand under the eaves — you’ll stay dry there.”
Position yourself beneath the roof overhang so the rain won’t reach you
“Water was dripping from the eaves after the storm.”
Rainwater was falling from the edge of the roof following the bad weather
Common Patterns
under the eaves → in the sheltered space beneath the roof overhang
from the eaves → falling or hanging from the roof edge
beneath the eaves → same as “under the eaves” (slightly more formal)
the eaves of the house/building/roof → specifying which structure
nest under/in the eaves → birds making homes in roof overhangs
icicles hanging from the eaves → common winter image
overhanging eaves → eaves that extend noticeably beyond the walls
Collocations
2 collocationsunder the eaves
beneath the overhanging edge of a roof
eavesdrop on
secretly listen to a private conversation
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
Sparrows have made a nest under the eaves of our garage
Small birds have built their home in the sheltered spot where the roof of our car storage building extends past the wall.
2
We sheltered beneath the eaves until the sudden downpour stopped
We stood in the covered area where the roof hung over the wall until the heavy rain passed.
3
Long icicles were hanging from the eaves after the freezing night
Pointed pieces of frozen water dangled from the roof edge following the bitterly cold evening.
4
The traditional Japanese house has wide overhanging eaves to provide shade
The classic dwelling from Japan features broad roof edges that extend outward to block sunlight.
5
Rainwater was pouring from the eaves because the gutters were blocked
Water was streaming off the roof edge because the drainage channels were clogged.
6
The cat likes to sit under the eaves and watch birds in the garden
The pet enjoys resting beneath the roof overhang and observing the wildlife outside.
7
We need to clear the wasp nest from the eaves before summer
We must remove where the stinging insects are living near the roof edge before the warm months arrive.
8
Snow had piled up on the eaves and was starting to slide off
Frozen white stuff had accumulated along the roof edge and was beginning to fall.
9
The cottage had low eaves that almost touched the ground-floor windows
The small country house had a roof edge that hung so far down it nearly reached the lower level glass panes.
10
The eaves of the old barn provided just enough shelter for the hikers
The roof overhang of the aged farm building offered barely sufficient cover for the walkers.
Learner Examples
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During break time, students often gather under the eaves of the main building when it’s raining
When lessons pause, learners frequently stand beneath the roof overhang of the central school structure during wet weather.
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The word “eavesdrop” originally meant standing under the eaves to secretly listen to conversations inside — that’s a useful way to remember both words
The term for secretly listening once referred to positioning yourself beneath the roof edge to hear what people were saying indoors — that connection helps you recall both vocabulary items.
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
1 items Idioms & Expressionseavesdrop on — secretly listen to a conversation
I accidentally eavesdropped on their conversation in the hallway.
Synonyms & Antonyms
3 items
Synonymsoverhang
a part of a roof extending beyond the wall
roof edge
the lower edge of a roof
awning
a similar structure providing shade