twilight

noun

twi·​light ˈtwī-ˌlīt 

often attributive

1

: 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

also : 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

• black
• blackness
• candlelight
• dark
• darkness
• dusk
• gloaming
• gloom
• murk
• night
• semidarkness
• shade
• shadows
• umbra

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

The 11-year veteran has meticulously cared for his body while in the twilight of his career. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024

The seasoned veteran Williams is coasting through his twilight years, but can still be a reliable force out of the backfield. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Listen to this article In the twilight of his presidency, Joe Biden is contemplating a decision that is without precedent. —Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Dec. 2024

Civil twilight refers to the part of the day when the sun is within 6 degrees below the horizon. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing twilight

• twilight glow
• twilight world
• twilight zone

Kids Definition

twilight

noun

twi·​light ˈtwī-ˌlīt 

: the period or the light from the sky between full night and sunrise or between sunset and full night