dawn
Dawn (noun) means the time of day when light first appears in the sky before the sun rises. Example: “They set off at dawn to beat the traffic.”
How to use dawn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSunrise time, or (as a verb) the moment an idea suddenly clicks in your head.
As a verb, it needs "on" — an idea "dawns on" you, not "dawns to" you.
Word forms
dawned past tense, dawns plural, dawns singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They set off at _____ to beat the traffic.
Etymology
From Middle English dawnen, related to the older word daw, meaning to grow light.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include dawn: