Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

first light

American  

noun

Southern U.S.
  1. dawn.


first light British  

noun

  1. the time when light first appears in the morning; dawn

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of first light

First recorded in 1945–50

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.

See Examples For:

The first light also sets an internal timer for melatonin to be produced again 14 hours later.

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 11, 2026

Shortly after picking up our dinner at Joan’s on Third, my friend started asking Lynda questions, first light questions like “Where are you from?” and “What do you do?”

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 12, 2025

At first light on Saturday, more than 80 personnel from Alpine Rescue, Guardia di Finanza Rescue, Carabinieri and the local fire brigade resumed the search.

From BBC Jan. 11, 2025

As far as the science images goes, I thought the first light image which we have in detail that has never been published before is in there.

From Salon Oct. 8, 2024

I rose just after first light the morning she was scheduled to leave.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Just like flashcards, but way more fun

Don't take our word for it. Leave the boring studying behind and join VocabTrainer today. You'll learn even faster and never look back.

Take me to Vocabulary.com