Jump to:

• vesper
  vesper

  noun

  the evening star, especially Venus; Hesperus.
• Vesper
  Vesper

  noun

  the planet Venus, when appearing as the evening star

vesper

American  

[ves-per] / ˈvɛs pər /

noun

1. (initial capital letter) the evening star, especially Venus; Hesperus.

2. Also called vesper bell.  a bell rung at evening.

3. (sometimes initial capital letter) vespers,

   1. a religious service in the late afternoon or the evening.

   2. the sixth of the seven canonical hours, or the service for it, occurring in the late afternoon or the evening.

   3. Roman Catholic Church. a part of the office to be said in the evening by those in major orders, frequently made a public ceremony in the afternoons or evenings of Sundays and holy days.

   4. Anglican Church. evensong.

4. Archaic. evening.

---

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, appearing in, or proper to the evening.

2. of or relating to vespers.

vesper ¹ British  

/ ˈvɛspə /

noun

1. an evening prayer, service, or hymn

2. an archaic word for evening

3. (modifier) of or relating to vespers

---

Vesper ² British  

/ ˈvɛspə /

noun

1. the planet Venus, when appearing as the evening star

---

Etymology

Origin of vesper

1350–1400; Middle English, partly < Latin: evening, evening star; partly < Old French vespres evening service < Medieval Latin vesperās, accusative plural of Latin vespera, feminine variant of vesper; cognate with Greek hésperos; akin to west

Explanation

A vesper is an evening song. It also refers to evening prayers, and then it’s usually plural as vespers. Whether it’s a church service or a jazz band at sunset, if it’s in the evening, it’s a vesper. Vesper hasn’t changed much over the years, in Latin it means “evening star,” and in Old English it’s æfen-sang, which sounds a little like “evening song.” In the Christian tradition, vespers are prayer services occurring later in the day. In the Roman Catholic Church vespers are a series of prayers that church officials and believers say together. This word has had several meanings over time, but most are related to evening, which is when the prayers take place.

Example Sentences

Consider the performance of an ETF called the Vesper U.S.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 20, 2025

The Queen also revealed that the Vesper Martini, which was invented by author Ian Fleming as James Bond's drink of choice, was a favourite tipple of the "much missed" Dame Jilly.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2025

In the film, you have Blake Lively making the Vesper Martini exactly the way that you make it.

From Salon • May 1, 2025

Ms. Brourman often stands out in the usually staid court, showing up in outfits chosen by the fashion designer Mia Vesper, who has been dressing her for the trial.

From New York Times • Dec. 12, 2023

But the big thing was, I was picked, Victory too, by the best man in Vesper County to go hunting with.

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• evening