at twilight

USAGE SUMMARY

'at twilight' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It generally means 'at the end of the day or evening'. Example: We were watching the stars at twilight, hoping to see a shooting star.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

THE BOYS AT TWILIGHT: Poems, 1990-1995, by Glyn Maxwell.

The New York Times - Books

The door at twilight,.

The New Yorker

Victorian street scenes at twilight.

The New York Times - Books

Especially at twilight.

The New York Times - Travel

You can glimpse them at twilight.

The New Yorker

"At Twilight" was a typical title.

The Economist

The sound of spring peepers at twilight.

The New York Times

"We came to the Colosseum at twilight.

The Guardian - Travel

Sadness ; Melody in F ; Largo ; War song ; At twilight ; Lullaby.

Stanford University

And then, at twilight, they passed under our windows.

The New York Times

Cat snakes are nocturnal hunters that become active at twilight.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "at twilight"—it often suggests a time of day when things are not quite what they seem, making it ideal for stories with a hint of the supernatural or suspense.

Common error

Avoid using "at twilight" interchangeably with "at night" or "in the evening" without considering the specific nuances of each phrase. "At twilight" refers to a specific, transitional period, while the others are more general.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at twilight" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate when an action occurs. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

13%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at twilight" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to specify a time of day, particularly to set a mood or atmosphere. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources but also appears in Encyclopedias and Academia. When writing, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, as alternatives like "at dusk" or "at nightfall" may be more appropriate depending on the context. Remember that "at twilight" refers to the transitional period after sunset, not simply "at night".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at dusk

Refers to the period immediately before night, very similar to twilight.

in the gloaming

A more poetic term for twilight, referring to the dim light.

at nightfall

Emphasizes the beginning of night, closely related to twilight.

at sunset

Specifically indicates the time when the sun disappears below the horizon, often associated with twilight.

when evening falls

Similar to "at nightfall", highlighting the arrival of evening.

during the magic hour

Photographic term for the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the light is soft and warm.

as day fades

Describes the gradual transition from daylight to darkness.

at the close of day

A formal way of referring to the end of the day, often synonymous with twilight.

in the evening

A broader term referring to the period from late afternoon to night.

as darkness approaches

Focuses on the impending arrival of night, often occurring during twilight.

FAQs

How can I use "at twilight" in a sentence?

"At twilight" can be used to describe the time of day when an event occurs, set a mood, or add descriptive detail. For example: "The bats emerged "at twilight", filling the sky."

What are some alternatives to "at twilight"?

You can use alternatives such as "at dusk", "at sunset", or "in the evening" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "at twilight" or "at dusk"?

Both "at twilight" and "at dusk" are fairly neutral in terms of formality. The choice often depends on the desired tone and context. "At twilight" might be perceived as slightly more evocative or literary.

What's the difference between "at twilight" and "at nightfall"?

"At twilight" refers to the period of fading light after sunset, while "at nightfall" specifically denotes the moment when night begins. The terms are closely related but not perfectly interchangeable.