daybreak

USAGE SUMMARY

"daybreak" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun and is used to refer to the time in the morning when it begins to get light. Example: We watched the sun rise on the horizon at daybreak.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Looking to make a show of force, the cops had alerted the UK's tabloid press, who had been waiting outside Ellis's building since daybreak.

The Guardian - Books

It was cloudy at daybreak, the wind was still.

The Guardian

To this day I can still smell the wooden handles of the picks we used to pass to the miners when they came to collect their tools before daybreak.

The Guardian

A third of the results will be expected by daybreak on Friday with the others following throughout the afternoon and into Saturday.

The Guardian

ITV's breakfast troubles are more recent, with Good Morning Britain, fronted by Susanna Reid – the broadcaster's big-money signing from the BBC – replacing the short-lived Daybreak earlier this year.

The Guardian

Photograph: Graeme Robertson Mark Harper, the immigration minister, was on ITV's Daybreak this morning talking about David Cameron's immigration speech.

The Guardian

Sir John may have hair that is more silvery than ever, and his sky-blue tie shines like the sun on a tropical sea at daybreak, but he still brings a powerful whiff of the past.

The Guardian

Or perhaps, given Mr Rich's habit of going to the office at daybreak, "Up with the lark".

The Economist

Just as daybreak hit, we arrived at a clearing nearby where Ivan presented us with a giant blue jug, a couple lengths of rope and a metal bar 2 meters long lying secured on the ground in front of us.

The Economist

From tonight until Sunday night and with the key forest scenes timed to end at daybreak Sunday morning the play will run without scenery or props before a small audience.

The Economist

She sets off to the wholesale market in the city centre every night around this time to buy produce when it opens and bring it back to Kibera at daybreak.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "daybreak" to add a touch of formality or literary flair when describing the beginning of the day, especially in descriptive or narrative writing.

Common error

Avoid using "daybreak" as a verb. It's a noun that refers to the time of day. Instead of saying "The sun daybreaks", use "The sun rises at daybreak."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "daybreak" is as a noun, referring to the time of day when light first appears, marking the transition from night to morning. Ludwig's examples show it functioning as the subject or object of prepositions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

6%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "daybreak" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun to denote the start of the day. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While closely related to "dawn", "daybreak" can lend a more formal or literary tone to your writing. Remember to use it as a noun and avoid using it as a verb. By following the provided guidance and exploring the alternative phrases, you can effectively incorporate "daybreak" into your writing to enrich your descriptions and narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dawn

Synonymous term, referring to the first light of day.

sunrise

The moment the sun appears above the horizon in the morning.

break of day

Similar to "daybreak", indicating the start of the day.

crack of dawn

An informal way to describe the very early morning.

sunup

Informal term denoting the time when the sun rises.

early morning

A general term indicating the beginning of the morning period.

first light

Refers to the initial appearance of light before sunrise.

dayspring

A somewhat archaic term for the beginning of the day.

aurora

Poetic term for the dawn or the goddess of dawn.

morning twilight

The soft glow of light before sunrise or after sunset.

FAQs

How can I use "daybreak" in a sentence?

"Daybreak" is typically used to describe the time when the first light of day appears. For example, "We set out on our journey at "daybreak"" or "The birds began to sing at "daybreak"".

What can I say instead of "daybreak"?

You can use alternatives like "dawn", "sunrise", or "crack of dawn" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "daybreak" and "dawn" interchangeably?

While ""daybreak"" and "dawn" are very similar, ""daybreak"" might carry a slightly more poetic or formal tone. In most cases, they can be used interchangeably.

What is the difference between "daybreak" and "morning"?

"Daybreak" refers specifically to the moment when light first appears in the morning, whereas "morning" refers to a broader period of time after sunrise.