sundown

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sundown' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the time in the evening when the sun goes down, usually around the end of the day. For example, "We set up camp as the sun began to set and settled in for the night as sundown approached."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You know the answer," he told them: an unwritten law that at sundown blacks had "best be on their way" out of town, or face the consequences.

The Economist

Most gravely (and if I had to guess, I would say that this explained much of the town's hostility to Lyford's book), his study exposed Vandalia as a "sundown" town, from which blacks were barred after dark.

The Economist

Both Muslims and Hindus, however, try to ensure that disposal of a body take place before sundown on the day of death, even if close relatives cannot attend the obsequies, or at the very latest at sunrise the next day if death occurs late in the afternoon.

The Economist

For a few rupees or handfuls of rice, they are said to demand and get sex with dalit women, typically just after sundown, when the villagers troop out to the fields to ablute.

The Economist

"Yet the entire group agreed without any argument to leave ancient Olympia, the most important place we visited, and get back to the hotel before sundown on Friday.

The Economist

ON MAY 30TH 1953 at sundown a bunch of ragged middle-aged men uncorked a bottle of rum inside a tent at 21,300 feet on Mount Everest.

The Economist

But by sundown, that fell to around a tenth of their chitchat; more than four-fifths of their talk was taken up by stories and myths.

The Economist

IT IS best not to drive in New Mexico after sundown, or so one infers from the road signs.

The Economist

Tired and hungry before their sundown breakfast, then sated and listless afterwards, millions of the faithful surrender to channel-flipping.

The Economist

Normal life resumes after sundown and shops stay open until after midnight.

The Economist

Access was forbidden after sundown.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sundown" to evoke a sense of finality or transition, especially in contexts related to time limits or deadlines. For example, "The project must be completed by sundown" emphasizes the urgency of the deadline.

Common error

Avoid using "sundown" and "sunset" interchangeably. "Sunset" refers to the precise moment the sun dips below the horizon, while "sundown" refers to the general time period when the sun is setting and darkness begins to fall.

Linguistic Context

The term "sundown" primarily functions as a noun, denoting the time when the sun sets. Ludwig examples show its usage to mark the end of the day or a transition into darkness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sundown" is a grammatically correct noun that refers to the time when the sun sets. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it’s commonly used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. While synonyms like "sunset" and "dusk" exist, "sundown" specifically describes the period encompassing the setting sun and the beginning of darkness. To avoid errors, remember that "sundown" is not the precise moment of sunset, but rather the period around it. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and wide applicability of this term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sunset

Refers to the specific moment the sun disappears below the horizon, similar to the general time frame of "sundown".

dusk

Describes the period of twilight after sunset and before night, closely related to "sundown" in timing.

twilight

Indicates the soft glow of light before sunrise and after sunset, encompassing the general timeframe of "sundown".

nightfall

The beginning of night, occurring around the same time as "sundown".

close of day

A more formal way to refer to the end of the day, coinciding with "sundown".

evening

The period from late afternoon to bedtime, including the time of "sundown".

end of daylight

The point when daylight ceases, aligning with the timing of "sundown".

setting sun

Describes the sun as it approaches the horizon, indicating the time of "sundown".

day's end

A general term for the conclusion of the day, occurring around "sundown".

late afternoon

The period immediately preceding evening and "sundown".

FAQs

How can I use "sundown" in a sentence?

You can use "sundown" to indicate the end of the day or a time-related deadline, such as, "The workers stopped for the day at "sundown"", or "All entries must be submitted before "sundown"".

What's a good alternative to "sundown"?

Depending on the context, you could use "sunset", "dusk", or "nightfall". Each has a slightly different nuance related to the transition from day to night.

Is it grammatically correct to use "sundown" as a noun?

Yes, "sundown" functions as a noun, referring to the time of day when the sun sets. It's perfectly acceptable to say, "We'll meet at "sundown"".

What is the difference between "sundown" and "twilight"?

"Sundown" refers specifically to the time when the sun is setting, whereas "twilight" refers to the period of diffused light after sunset or before sunrise.