What is dawn? Pronunciation and usage in English

dawn means . Learn how to pronounce and use dawn through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of dawn

dawnnoun

/dɔːn/
Definition & pronunciation of dawn

The word "dawn" is pronounced daʊn.

Here's a breakdown:

  • da - like the "da" in "dad"
  • wn - like the "own" in "own"

It’s a short, quick pronunciation. You can hear it clearly spoken here: https://www.forvo.com/word/dawn/

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Usage and examples with the word dawn in English

Let's break down how to use the word "dawn" in English. It has several meanings, ranging from literal to metaphorical. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. Literal Meaning: The Beginning of Daylight

  • Definition: This is the most straightforward meaning. "Dawn" refers to the period of time when the first light appears in the sky before sunrise. It's the very beginning of the day.
  • Example: "We woke up before dawn to watch the sunrise." "The dawn broke, painting the sky with shades of pink and orange."

2. Figurative Meanings (More Common Usage)

  • a) The Beginning of Something New/Promising: This is by far the most frequent use of "dawn." It suggests a new era, a fresh start, or a development that holds positive potential.

    • Example 1 (Hopeful): "A dawn of peace seemed to break over the troubled region." (Meaning: A period of peace began.)
    • Example 2 (Innovation): "The introduction of new technology marked the dawn of a digital age." (Meaning: A new era of technology began.)
    • Example 3 (Personal Growth): "After years of struggle, a dawn of self-awareness finally appeared in her life." (Meaning: She finally began to understand herself better.)

  • b) Emergence/Appearance: It can sometimes describe the gradual appearance of something – an idea, a feeling, or a quality.

    • Example: “A dawn of understanding crept into his eyes as he listened to the story.” (Meaning: Understanding gradually began to appear.)

3. Phrases Using "Dawn"

  • “To break dawn”: To wake up very early, near the time the sun rises.
    • “I have to break dawn to catch the early train.”
  • "At dawn": At the time of sunrise.
    • “We watched the birds at dawn.”
  • "A new dawn": A new beginning, a fresh start. (This is a very common idiom.)
    • “Let's work together to create a new dawn for our community.”

Tips for Using "Dawn" Effectively:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "dawn" depends heavily on the context of the sentence.
  • Evokes a sense of hope/potential: It’s often associated with optimism and the possibility of something positive.
  • Use it for change: It's most frequently used to describe periods of significant change or development.

Resources for Further Learning:

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Synonyms for the word dawn

Idioms of the word dawn

at the crack of dawn
(informal)very early in the morning
  • I have to get up at the crack of dawn.
break of day/dawn
(literary)the moment in the early hours of the morning when it begins to get light

    Practice with vocabulary dawn

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The first rays of light pierced the darkness at _______, heralding the start of a new day.
    2. With the discovery of exoplanets, the _______ of a new era of space exploration began for scientists.
    3. We typically hold our strategic planning sessions in the early _______ to take advantage of peak mental clarity.
    4. The final report must be submitted by Friday, so the deadline is rapidly _______.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. The security team decided to conduct their surveillance operation just before _______ to ensure maximum stealth. A) dusk B) twilight C) dawn D) noon
    2. After weeks of struggling with the complex problem, the solution suddenly _______ on him during his morning run. A) struck B) appeared C) dawned D) revealed
    3. The earliest historical records often mark the _______ of organized human societies and agricultural practices. A) conclusion B) culmination C) dawn D) cessation
    4. Many nocturnal animals retreat to their shelters at _______ as the sun rises. A) midnight B) daybreak C) midday D) evening
    5. The successful _______ of the new software project required meticulous planning and execution. A) termination B) inception C) aftermath D) conclusion

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The first light of day revealed the breathtaking mountain panorama.
      • Rewrite using "dawn":
    2. He finally grasped the full implications of the policy change after a detailed briefing.
      • Rewrite using a form of "dawn":
    3. The initial phase of the research project proved to be the most challenging.
      • Rewrite using a suitable replacement for "initial phase" (do not use "dawn"):

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. dawn
    2. dawn
    3. morning
    4. approaching

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. C) dawn
    2. C) dawned
    3. C) dawn
    4. B) daybreak
    5. B) inception

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. At dawn, the breathtaking mountain panorama was revealed.
    2. The full implications of the policy change finally dawned on him after a detailed briefing.
    3. The onset of the research project proved to be the most challenging.

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