Twilight: meaning, definitions and examples

Often used to describe the soft, glowing light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon, either in the evening or in the morning. It has a poetic or romantic connotation.

• They walked hand in hand through the park during twilight.
• The town looked beautiful under the twilight sky.

Refers to the period just after the sun has set, when the sky is starting to get dark. It's a bit later than twilight and captures the transition from daylight to dark.

• The streetlights started to flicker on at dusk.
• We sat on the porch at dusk, watching the stars appear.

Describes the time in the evening when the sun goes down below the horizon. This term focuses more on the visual and atmospheric phenomena rather than the time period.

• We watched a beautiful sunset over the ocean.
• The sky is painted with lovely colors at sunset.

Covers a broader time period from the end of the afternoon until night. It doesn’t necessarily specify a particular lighting condition, more the time after the working day ends and before bedtime.

• We have dinner together every evening.
• She loves to read in the quiet of the evening.

Specifically refers to the time when the night begins, same as dusk but often used in a more formal or literary context. It emphasizes the arrival of night.

• They needed to make it back to the cabin by nightfall.
• Nightfall brought a chilling silence to the forest.

Used to describe the soft glowing light seen before sunrise and after sunset. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the final phase of something.

• They went for a walk in the park during twilight.
• The twilight of his career was marked by numerous awards.

Often describes a long, involved story, sometimes historical or fantastical in nature. It can be used for both literary works and complicated real-life events.

• The Star Wars saga has captivated audiences for decades.
• The saga of his life is filled with both tragedy and triumph.

Commonly used to describe a number of related events, objects, or broadcasts that follow one another in sequence. It is frequently used for books, television shows, and other forms of media.

• She enjoys watching the new crime drama series on Netflix.
• The book series by J.K. Rowling has become a favorite among readers.

Used to describe a series of related films, games, or shows under a common brand, often with ongoing stories or themes. It can also refer to a business model where individuals own and operate their own branches of a larger company.

• The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a highly successful franchise.
• She opened her own bakery through a popular franchise.