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.
And which league would best suit the now 34-year-old in the twilight of his career? — Gregg Evans, New York Times, 24 June 2026 Any impacts will be subtle but visually noticeable, especially around peak twilight hours. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 29 June 2026 Darkness is now at a premium, with extended twilight lingering well into the night and returning early in the morning, but the moon is back in the evening sky. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 19 June 2026 Both are now in the twilight of their careers, and while there are certainly no guarantees, if both countries advance to the knockout stage, there could be one last match between the all-time greats. — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 16 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 7 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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