twilight

American  

[twahy-lahyt] / ˈtwaɪˌlaɪt /

noun

1. the soft, diffused light lights from the sky when the sun is below the horizon, either from daybreak to sunrise or, more commonly, from sunset to nightfall.

2. the period in the morning or, more commonly, in the evening during which this light lights prevails.

3. a terminal period, especially after full development, success, etc..

   the twilight of his life.

4. a state of uncertainty, vagueness, or gloom.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling twilight; dim; obscure.

   in the twilight hours.

2. appearing or flying at twilight; crepuscular.

twilight British  

/ ˈtwaɪˌlaɪt, ˈtwaɪˌlɪt /

noun

1. the soft diffused light occurring when the sun is just below the horizon, esp following sunset

2. the period in which this light occurs

3. the period of time during which the sun is a specified angular distance below the horizon (6°, 12°, and 18° for civil twilight , nautical twilight , and astronomical twilight , respectively)

4. any faint light

5. a period in which strength, importance, etc, are waning

   the twilight of his life

6. (modifier)

   1. of or relating to the period towards the end of the day

      the twilight shift

   2. of or relating to the final phase of a particular era

      the twilight days of the Bush presidency

   3. denoting irregularity and obscurity

      a twilight existence

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Other Word Forms

• twilighty adjective
• twilit adjective

Etymology

Origin of twilight

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English; twi- + light ¹

Example Sentences

Ahead, through a gap in the treetops, we catch a glimpse of clouds, pink and gray in the fading twilight.

From Literature

But it is continental kingship the 33-year-old has spent the twilight years of his career chasing.

From BBC

But Aunt Kate and I ignored it as we pressed in close together, arms entwined, and set off again down the busy sidewalk and into the red-tinged twilight toward the Barnum Hotel.

From Literature

We arrived there as a frozen twilight was creeping across snow-covered pedestrian streets.

From BBC

But this, the original stage, the dress circle, the giant chandelier set with a Star of David and made to resemble the sky at twilight...there was nothing like it.

From Literature

Related Words

• dusk
• sunset