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.
Pieces are held together by large C clamps as the bridge prepares to slip into its twilight stage. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 On the first night of the charter, Kerry sends Alex to accompany the guests on their twilight kayak excursion, during which the guests are spared any paddling. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026 The Financial Times’ chief foreign affairs commentator explores a geopolitical twilight in which the three nations with the largest nuclear arsenals are led by strongmen, allowing autocrats to exploit new gaps in the global political order. — Mary Lawrence Ware, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Not so much because the 37-year-old Kelce is revitalized in his twilight years. — Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 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

See All Rhymes for twilight

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 1 Nov. 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
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