twilight

noun

twi·​light ˈtwī-ˌlīt How to pronounce twilight (audio)
Synonyms of twilight
often attributive
1
a
: the light from the sky between full night and sunrise or between sunset and full night produced by diffusion of sunlight through the atmosphere and its dust
especially : such light immediately following sunset
b
: a time of twilight
2
a
: an intermediate state that is not clearly defined
… lived in the twilight of neutrality …Newsweek
b
: a period of decline

Examples of twilight in a Sentence

The sun set and twilight fell. stumbled around the twilight of the shuttered room, unable to see where she was going
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Neymar is also deep into the twilight of his career. Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 13 June 2026 Venus will be the easiest to find, shining as the brightest star-like object in the twilight. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 But twilight has its own advantages. Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 June 2026 The weekend shooting and Lucas’ push against unlicensed clubs come in the twilight of his term, which ends in 2027. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for twilight

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of twilight was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Twilight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twilight. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

twilight

noun
twi·​light ˈtwī-ˌlīt How to pronounce twilight (audio)
: the period or the light from the sky between full night and sunrise or between sunset and full night

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