dawn

The soft light in the sky just before the sun rises.

• We left before dawn.
• Birds began singing in the pale dawn.
• The first light of dawn filled the room.

Similar words: daybreak

Opposites: dusk

Common phrases: dawn light, before dawn, at dawn

The time in the morning when the sun rises.

• The boat leaves at dawn.
• We worked until dawn.
• She woke before dawn to catch the train.

Similar words: daybreak, sunrise

Opposites: dusk

Common phrases: at dawn, until dawn, before dawn

The rising of the sun at the start of the day.

• We watched the dawn together.
• The dawn brought golden light to the valley.
• They climbed the hill to greet the dawn.

Similar words: sunrise

Opposites: sunset

Common phrases: watch dawn, greet dawn

If something begins to seem clear to you, you suddenly understand it.

• The answer dawned on me.
• It finally dawned on him that she was joking.
• Did it dawn on you why they left?

How to use it: something dawns on someone (The truth dawned on her.); it dawns on someone that… (It dawned on me that I had the wrong key.)

Common phrases: dawn on someone, dawn upon someone

When a day begins, the sky starts to become light.

• The day dawned cold and clear.
• Morning dawned over the sleeping town.
• Another day would soon dawn.

Similar words: break

Common phrases: dawn over something, dawn bright

To begin to appear or become clear.

• Hope dawned in his heart.
• A look of understanding dawned on her face.
• The full meaning of their discovery slowly dawned on them.

How to use it: dawn on someone (A new understanding dawned on her.)

Similar words: emerge, appear

Common phrases: dawn slowly, dawn on someone