Dawn vs. Dusk — What's the Difference?

A symbol of hope or new beginnings.

The period after sunset before full darkness.

The beginning of something.

A period important for evening activities.

A period important for astronomical observations.

Dusk occurs at the darkest stage of twilight, or at the very end of astronomical twilight after sunset and just before night. At predusk, during early to intermediate stages of twilight, enough light in the sky under clear conditions may occur to read outdoors without artificial illumination; however, at the end of civil twilight (when Earth rotates to a point at which the center of the Sun's disk is 6° below the local horizon), such lighting is required to read outside.

Dawn is the time that marks the beginning of twilight before sunrise. It is recognized by the appearance of indirect sunlight being scattered in Earth's atmosphere, when the centre of the Sun's disc has reached 18° below the observer's horizon.

The darker stage of twilight, especially in the evening.

The time each morning at which daylight first begins.

Tending to darkness; dusky.

A first appearance; a beginning

To become or make dark or dusky.

To begin to become light in the morning.

A period of time at the end of day when the sun is below the horizon but before the full onset of night, especially the darker part of twilight.

To begin to appear or develop; emerge.

A darkish colour.

To begin to be perceived or understood

The condition of being dusky; duskiness

(intransitive) To begin to brighten with daylight.

(intransitive) To begin to lose light or whiteness; to grow dusk.

(intransitive) To start to appear or be realized.

(transitive) To make dusk.

(intransitive) To begin to give promise; to begin to appear or to expand.

Tending to darkness or blackness; moderately dark or black; dusky.

(uncountable) The morning twilight period immediately before sunrise.

Tending to darkness or blackness; moderately dark or black; dusky.

(countable) The rising of the sun.

Imperfect obscurity; a middle degree between light and darkness; twilight; as, the dusk of the evening.

(uncountable) The time when the sun rises.

A darkish color.

(uncountable) The earliest phase of something.

To make dusk.

To begin to grow light in the morning; to grow light; to break, or begin to appear; as, the day dawns; the morning dawns.

To grow dusk.

To began to give promise; to begin to appear or to expand.

The time of day immediately following sunset;

The break of day; the first appearance of light in the morning; show of approaching sunrise.

A phase when natural light diminishes.

First opening or expansion; first appearance; beginning; rise.

A symbol of the end or quietude.

The first light of day;

A time for specific religious observations.

The earliest period;

An opening time period;

Become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions;

Appear or develop;

Become light;

The first light before sunrise.

A phase preceding full daylight.

Dusk is the period after sunset before it becomes fully dark.

Dawn often symbolizes new beginnings and hope.

Dawn is the period before sunrise when the sky starts to lighten.

Dawn occurs in the morning before the sun rises.

There are three: civil, nautical, and astronomical.

Dusk occurs in the evening after the sun sets.

Dusk often symbolizes endings or calmness.

There are three: astronomical, nautical, and civil.

Yes, some religions have practices or prayers specific to the time of dusk.

Yes, dusk is often used to symbolize endings or a reflective mood.

Yes, in some religions dawn marks the time for specific prayers or rituals.

Dawn provides the first safe light for sailors and pilots.

Dusk indicates that natural light is diminishing, affecting navigation.

Yes, dawn is often used to symbolize hope or a new chapter in literature.

Yes, many animals are active during dawn and dusk, known as "crepuscular" behavior.