dawn
dawn
Dawn (noun) means the time of day when light first appears in the sky before the sun rises. Example: “A pale pink dawn spread across the hills as the campers woke.”
noun
1
The time of day when light first appears in the sky before the sun rises.
"A pale pink dawn spread across the hills as the campers woke."
"They set off at dawn to beat the traffic."
"The birds start singing well before dawn."
verb
1
To begin to become clear or obvious to someone, often suddenly.
"The truth slowly dawned on her as she read the letter a second time."
"It dawned on us that nobody had booked the venue."
"It finally dawned on him that he'd left his passport at home."
How to use dawn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSunrise time, or (as a verb) the moment an idea suddenly clicks in your head.
Common mistake
As a verb, it needs "on" — an idea "dawns on" you, not "dawns to" you.
Common pairings
at dawn
it dawned on me
the dawn of a new era
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Word forms
- Plural
- dawns
- Third person singular
- dawns
- Past tense
- dawned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A pale pink _____ spread across the hills as the campers woke.
Etymology
From Middle English dawnen, related to the older word daw, meaning to grow light.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for dawn
See all rhymes for dawn →Frequently asked questions
What does “dawn” mean?
The word “dawn” means the time of day when light first appears in the sky before the sun rises. In plain terms, sunrise time, or (as a verb) the moment an idea suddenly clicks in your head.
How do you pronounce “dawn”?
“Dawn” is pronounced dawn (/dɔn/ in IPA).
How do you use “dawn” in a sentence?
Here is “dawn” used in a sentence: “They set off at dawn to beat the traffic.”
What is another word for “dawn”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dawn” include ass crack of dawn, break, break of dawn, break of day, butt crack of dawn and cockcrow.
What is the opposite of “dawn”?
The opposite of “dawn” — its antonyms — is dusk.
What part of speech is “dawn”?
Depending on how it is used, “dawn” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “dawn” come from?
The word “dawn” comes from Middle English. From Middle English dawnen, related to the older word daw, meaning to grow light.
Is “dawn” a common word?
“Dawn” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "dawn" and "dusk"?
Dawn is the time when light first appears in the sky before sunrise, while dusk is the fading light after sunset. They mark opposite transitions between day and night.
What is the difference between "dawn" and "sunrise"?
Dawn refers to the first appearance of light in the sky before the sun itself is visible, whereas sunrise is the moment the sun climbs above the horizon. Dawn therefore begins slightly before sunrise.
What are common collocations with "dawn"?
Common phrases include "at dawn," "the crack of dawn," "dawn chorus," "false dawn," and "a new dawn." The last is often used figuratively to mean the start of a hopeful new period.
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