nightfall

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "nightfall" is completely correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to refer to the time in the evening when it starts to become dark. Example sentence: After a long day, we were grateful for the peace that came with nightfall.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And when you get home it will be a while before you forget the casual whoop of the tree frogs at nightfall or the magnificent flamboyant trees with their thick, confident branches and shocking red-feather tops.

The Guardian - Travel

After nightfall, walking on the sand, you watch out for robbers, and amorous couples.

The Guardian - Travel

Still, by nightfall the music played on and the club was full.

The Guardian

By nightfall, word was spreading about other Obama cabinet members: NBC's Washington affiliate reported that the personal email of former defense secretary Chuck Hagel had on at least one occasion been used for government business; outgoing attorney general Eric Holder has reportedly alternated between several aliases.

The Guardian

Nor could they imagine that Mallory and Irvine would not have had the good sense to turn back well before nightfall.

The Economist

Not so easy In rude health ReprintsBy nightfall on July 23rd, most of Damascus was back in government hands, the rebels having tactically slipped away.

The Economist

Then the allied advance began, and it continued until nightfall, with Prussian cavalrymen lancing French soldiers in the back as they retreated.Did Wellington outwit Napoleon,as well as winning the battle?

The Economist

The few bulldozers that arrived promptly to sift through the rubble stopped working at nightfall.

The Economist

After nightfall, he made a break for it, under the spotlights set up by his captors.

The Economist

It was through blood, bravery and self-sacrifice that Egypt's youth won their victory, a victory so complete that by nightfall Friday, uniformed police vanished entirely from streets all across Egypt.

The Economist

Yet he still loiters on the Mexican side of the fence, waiting for nightfall and another chance to cross.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nightfall" to create a sense of closure or transition in your writing. It is often effective in setting a specific mood or atmosphere.

Common error

Avoid using "nightfall" interchangeably with "midnight" or other specific times of night. "Nightfall" refers to the general onset of darkness, not a precise hour.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "nightfall" is as a noun, representing the time of day when darkness begins to fall. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

40%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nightfall" is a common and grammatically correct noun referring to the onset of darkness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides ample examples across various authoritative sources, predominantly in news and encyclopedic contexts. While it's suitable for neutral registers, it's crucial to distinguish it from specific times of night and to appreciate its atmospheric implications. Consider using synonyms like "dusk" or "twilight" for nuanced meanings, and be mindful of the transition and closure that the word "nightfall" often implies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dusk

Refers to the darker stage of twilight.

twilight

Describes the period of partial darkness between day and night.

evening

Indicates the time period nearing the end of the day.

sunset

Focuses on the visual event of the sun descending below the horizon.

sundown

A more informal synonym for sunset.

close of day

Emphasizes the ending of daytime activities.

fall of darkness

Highlights the increasing darkness.

approaching night

Indicates the imminent arrival of night.

end of daylight

Emphasizes the ceasing of daylight hours.

gloaming

A poetic term for twilight or dusk.

FAQs

How to use "nightfall" in a sentence?

"Nightfall" refers to the time when darkness begins. For example: "The soldiers retreated to their camp before nightfall."

What can I say instead of "nightfall"?

You can use alternatives like "dusk", "twilight", or "sundown" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'after nightfall' or 'at nightfall'?

Both "after nightfall" and "at nightfall" are correct and commonly used. "At nightfall" specifies the moment when darkness arrives, while "after nightfall" refers to the period following that moment.

What's the difference between "nightfall" and "night"?

"Nightfall" refers to the transition period when day turns to night, while "night" refers to the entire period of darkness between sunset and sunrise.