dawn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dawn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the time of day when the sun rises or metaphorically to signify the beginning of something new. Example: "As the dawn broke, the sky transformed into a canvas of vibrant colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And as we meet here, we again declare that the regime of Bashar al-Assad must come to an end so that the suffering of the Syrian people can stop and a new dawn can begin.

The New York Times

It was a false dawn.

The Guardian - Sport

Through a series of four dawn workshops in Paris, you'll learn technical and creative skills that will help you to develop a portfolio to be proud of.

The Guardian

The summit logo reflected those ambitions, depicting a new dawn breaking and the three words: stability, growth, jobs.

The Guardian

Seven top Fifa officials were arrested in dawn raids at the Baur au Lac hotel on Wednesday and seven more were charged in the US over racketeering, money laundering and tax evasion.

The Guardian - Sport

Bartmes, another Chicago attorney, said that in September 2013 she got a call from a mother worried that her 15-year-old son had been picked up by police before dawn.

The Guardian

In a speech mainly devoted to the Middle East, President Obama told the UN general assembly in New York that "the regime of Bashar al-Assad must come to an end so that the suffering of the Syrian people can stop, and a new dawn can begin".

The Guardian

In Shia Islam, the hidden imam is predicted to reappear in Mecca and herald a new dawn of justice after the world has been torn asunder by violence and oppression.

The Guardian

("Great styles and great music!") It dawns on me slowly, like a rather chilly dawn, that I also had a 1950s wedding.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Despite stiff competition from a succession of crises during his 17-year tenure as president, Blatter admitted that the charges of "rampant, systemic and deep-rooted corruption" presaged by dawn raids in Zurich and revealed by US authorities on Wednesday were "shocking and unprecedented" in their scale.

The Guardian - Sport

At dawn, there are mists and the river appears almost milky.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dawn" both literally to describe the time of day and metaphorically to represent the beginning of a new era or significant event.

Common error

Avoid overusing "dawn" in contexts where a more specific term like "beginning", "start", or "outset" would be more appropriate. "Dawn" carries a connotation of hope and renewal, which may not always fit the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "dawn" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the period of morning twilight before sunrise or, metaphorically, the beginning of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, "dawn" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "dawn" is a versatile term, predominantly used as a noun, referring to the period just before sunrise or metaphorically to signify a new beginning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the usage of "dawn" is correct and common in written English. It frequently appears in News & Media contexts. While generally neutral in register, its specific connotation can vary based on the context. For example, it is found in sentences like: "Seven top Fifa officials were arrested in dawn raids..." or "...a new dawn can begin". Related terms include "daybreak", "sunrise", and "first light". When employing "dawn", consider whether its inherent connotation of hope aligns with the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

daybreak

Refers specifically to the start of the day, emphasizing the breaking of darkness.

break of day

Similar to daybreak, stressing the commencement of daylight.

sunrise

Focuses on the sun's appearance over the horizon, highlighting the visual aspect of the morning.

first light

Emphasizes the initial appearance of light in the morning sky.

early morning

A more general term encompassing the hours shortly after dawn.

dawning

Emphasizes the process of the day starting, highlighting the gradual increase in light.

new beginning

Metaphorically represents the start of something significant, analogous to the start of a day.

crack of dawn

Idiomatic expression that points to the very early part of the morning.

outset

Indicates the very beginning or start of an event or process.

cockcrow

An older term, referencing the time when roosters traditionally begin to crow, marking the start of the day.

FAQs

How can I use "dawn" in a sentence?

You can use "dawn" to refer to the time of day when the sun rises (e.g., "We woke up before dawn to watch the sunrise") or metaphorically to mean the beginning of something (e.g., "The invention marked the dawn of a new era").

What can I say instead of "dawn" when referring to the start of the day?

Alternatives include "daybreak", "sunrise", "first light", or "break of day".

What other words describe a new beginning similar to "dawn"?

Consider using "new beginning", "outset", or "start" to convey the idea of something commencing.

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

"Dawn" refers to the beginning of the day, when the sun rises, while "dusk" refers to the end of the day, when the sun sets. They are opposite times of day.