cockcrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cockcrow" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the time of day when roosters crow, often symbolizing dawn or the early morning hours. Example: "The villagers would rise at cockcrow to begin their daily chores before the sun fully rose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The good times when you remembered the… Memory rising in the steppes In the quiet before cockcrow when the cricket's Finally, from your house, there is now view: The clocks begin, civily simultaneous, Hugh Forester had a wonderful memory for dates, names and almost everything.

The New Yorker

In the quiet before cockcrow when the cricket's.

The New Yorker

That was not only a pun on Peter's name, which means rock, but also a pun on the character of Peter, who, in the garden of Gethsemane, would deny Jesus thrice before cockcrow.

The New York Times - Books

I don't talk very easily about my faith, but I start the day long before cockcrow and I pray for a long time every day.

The Guardian

Although almost everyone in it loses eventually, and horribly, the emphasis is not on loss but on enjoyment — how the people sat in the sun and deloused each other and gossiped, how they had dinner and then talked about God till cockcrow.

The New Yorker

By John Hall Wheelock The New Yorker, July 13 , 1963P. 22 In the quiet before cockcrow when the cricket's View Article By Rivka Galchen By Malcolm Gladwell By David Remnick By Ceridwen Dovey.

The New Yorker

"Two kinds of boldness blinking, throat open for a cockcrow, come together to create a blood-stained circus," Kerr wrote, "the most unabashed dramatic outburst we have had since 'Long Day's Journey Into Night.' " This is precisely the spirit that Ms. Smith's vigorous staging seeks out, often successfully.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cockcrow" sparingly and consciously, as it evokes a literary or historical tone. Consider your audience and the overall style of your writing when choosing this word.

Common error

Avoid using "cockcrow" in modern, informal contexts where it may sound overly affected or out of place. Opt for more common synonyms like "dawn" or "early morning" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cockcrow" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the time of day when roosters typically crow, signaling the beginning of dawn. Ludwig's examples show its use in literary and descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cockcrow" is a noun referring to the time of early dawn, often carrying a literary or historical connotation. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's more frequently found in news and media, as shown in the examples, and less common in everyday speech. When using "cockcrow", be mindful of its specific nuance and consider whether alternatives like "dawn" or "early morning" might be more appropriate for your context. Ludwig's examples and analysis confirm its usage primarily in descriptive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dawn

This is a simpler, more common synonym for the time when light first appears in the morning.

daybreak

Similar to dawn, but can emphasize the breaking or beginning of the day.

first light

Focuses on the visual aspect of the earliest daylight.

sunrise

Refers to the specific moment when the sun appears above the horizon.

early morning

A more general term for the hours after midnight and before noon.

crack of dawn

An idiom emphasizing the very early start of the day.

aurora

A more poetic term for dawn, suggesting the rosy light of early morning.

sunup

A synonym for sunrise, often used in informal contexts.

dawning

Emphasizes the process of the day beginning, rather than a specific time.

break of day

Similar to daybreak, highlighting the breaking or beginning of the day's light.

FAQs

What does "cockcrow" mean?

The word "cockcrow" refers to the time of day when a rooster crows, typically at dawn or just before sunrise. It signifies the beginning of the day.

How can I use "cockcrow" in a sentence?

You might say, "The farmers were up before "cockcrow" to tend to their fields" or "The meeting was scheduled for "cockcrow" to ensure everyone arrived on time."

What's the difference between "cockcrow" and "dawn"?

"Cockcrow" specifically relates to the sound of a rooster at dawn, while "dawn" is a more general term for the first light of day. "Cockcrow" often carries a more traditional or rural connotation.

What are some synonyms for "cockcrow"?

Alternatives to "cockcrow" include "daybreak", "first light", "sunrise", and "early morning". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.