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

Synonyms of twilight

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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.
Each of those have been points of frustration in city leadership in the twilight of Lyles’ tenure. — Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026 Discounts for residents, juniors and seniors and for twilight hours. — Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 7 July 2026 And even though Messi is in the twilight of his career, Jamieson doesn’t expect the demand for his signature to slow down. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 7 July 2026 Any impacts will be subtle but visually noticeable, especially around peak twilight hours. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 29 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

Phrases Containing twilight

Rhymes for twilight

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Browse Nearby Words

twigwithy
twilight
twilight arch
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Cite this Entry

“Twilight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twilight. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on twilight

Nglish: Translation of twilight for Spanish Speakers

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