twilight zone
Americannoun
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the lowest level of the ocean that light can reach.
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an ill-defined area between two distinct conditions, categories, etc., usually comprising certain features of both; an indefinite boundary.
a twilight zone between fantasy and reality.
noun
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any indefinite or transitional condition or area
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an area of a city or town, usually surrounding the central business district, where houses have become dilapidated
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the lowest level of the ocean to which light can penetrate
Etymology
Origin of twilight zone
First recorded in 1905–10
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It almost felt like being in the twilight zone," he added.
From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026
Starbucks is facing a similar situation: No one wants to spend a lot of time there, but grab-and-go coffee is usually cheaper elsewhere, so the appeal of this twilight zone is shaky.
From Slate • Dec. 22, 2025
They mostly live in the ocean’s twilight zone where light rarely reaches, typically considered 650 to 3,000 feet below the water’s surface.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025
Some companies have proposed releasing this waste within the twilight zone, but the environmental consequences of such practices have remained largely unknown -- until now.
From Science Daily • Nov. 8, 2025
Mr. Dunwoody uses the kiln as a cupboard, and the darkroom’s a twilight zone only Art Club members get to see.
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
