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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

It was the Covid lockdown in winter 2020 that inspired the couple to create their first light show.

From BBC Dec. 7, 2024

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

When the first light of morning peeked through the blinds of the apartment, Luke leaned over and kissed Annie gently on the ear.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss

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