twilight

American  

[twahy-lahyt] / ˈtwaɪˌlaɪt /

noun

twilights plural

1. the soft, diffused light 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 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

Derived Forms

• twilighty
  adjective
• twilit
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• twilights
  plural

Etymology

Origin of twilight

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

Explanation

The time just after sunset, when the light is half-faded, but the world is not yet totally dark, is twilight. If you are between two states, like asleep and awake, that can also be called a twilight moment. Twilight comes just before the night falls. The early light, just before sunrise, is also technically called "twilight" but most people call it "dawn." The prefix twi- might be a clue that twilight happens twice a day, or it could mean "half," as in the half-light of this time. Something that is declining can be described as twilight — like the twilight of the trend of wearing plastic clogs favored by nurses and chefs.

Example Sentences

“An officer could simply invent an accusation of criminality, leaving the green-card holder trapped in a bureaucratic twilight zone for years before they have a chance to rebut the accusation at a hearing,” Mark writes.

From Slate • Jun. 25, 2026

A clear view of the western sky will help observers catch Mercury before it disappears into the twilight glow.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2026

Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto let a day’s stroll linger into profundity, the twilight dimming and human connection brewing in all its possibilities.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

“The Boys of Dungeon Lane,” Paul McCartney’s twenty-seventh post-Beatles studio album, is the portrait of an artist in his twilight, a rich assortment of storytelling and nostalgia befitting the world’s greatest living songwriter.

From Salon • May 12, 2026

We decide to go that evening, in the twilight before dark, when most people will be hurrying to their homes and the nurses are in their bedroom.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

Related Words

• dusk
• sunset