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Dusk Vs. Sunset: When To Use Each One? What To Consider

Dusk Vs. Sunset: When To Use Each One? What To Consider

Every day, we experience the sunset and dusk. However, many do not know the difference between these words and how to use them correctly. So, we researched dusk vs. sunset to create this post and educate you on everything you need to know.

Dusk is a period when the sun is below the horizon. This time occurs right before the full onset of night. In contrast, sunset is when the sun disappears wholly below the western horizon & the sky color changes. So, the difference is that dusk comes right after sunset when the sun goes out of view.

The explanation below is just a drop in the ocean. There is much more to learn about these words and what differentiates them. So, let us take a closer look at both words and what there is to learn about them. Expect to know a lot about the definitions and usage, coupled with creative sentence examples.

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Definitions Of Dusk And Sunset

Everyone has probably used either or both of these words at one point. However, you will be surprised how many people do not know what these words mean. So, we prepared the following definitions section to help you understand these words better;

Definition Of Dusk

It is the time at the end of the day when the sun is below the horizon. This is before the full onset of nighttime or the darkness at night. For example, in a sentence, “May curfew starts at dusk every night.”

Another definition for dusk is “the darker stage of twilight in the evening, just before the night begins.” Here is an example sentence, “Sunset occurs before dusk.”

As a transitive verb, dusk means “to begin to lose light or to grow dusk.” For example, in a sentence, “It started to dusk before I left Carly’s house.”

On the other hand, as an intransitive verb, dusk means “to make dusk or make something lose light.” In a sentence, “Closing the curtain will dusk the living room earlier than expected.”

Definition Of Sunset

Sunset refers to the time when the sun disappears below the western horizon. For example, “Sandra will arrive before sunset.”

Also, sunset refers to the changes in the sky’s color when the sun disappears below the western horizon. This meaning especially applies in astronomy. “For example, in a sentence, “The sunset sky is one of the most beautiful sights to behold.”

Figuratively, sunset refers to the final period of someone’s life. In a sentence, we can say, “My grandma reached her sunset last summer; it was a painful time in our lives.”

Attributively, sunset refers to having a set termination date. This meaning especially applies in law or politics. For instance, in a sentence, “The scheduled sunset for the project is the end of February.” More so, sunset refers to the following when describing an action, business, and politics;

  • When the sun sets or the western horizon, for example, “The girl in the picture was facing the sunset and looking directly at the iridescent sky.”
  • Sunset also means “to phase out.” For example, in a sentence, “The business plans to sunset the older software version and adapt the latest one.”

How To Use Dusk And Sunset Properly In A Sentence

Is the above section enough for you to start using these words in sentences? If not, the guidelines below should be handy.

How And When To Use Dusk

You can use dusk as a noun for “the time just before the darkness fills the sky.” For example, “Dusk is my favorite time of the day.” Here, “dusk” is the noun and sentence subject.

More so, you can use “dusk” in a sentence as an adjective for “lacking in light.” For example, “The dusk environment in the living room made it look depressing.” In this sentence, “dusk” explains more about the state of the environment.

As a verb, you should use dusk to explain the process of making something dark. For example, in a sentence, “I will dusk the photography room to achieve the perfect effect.”

How And When To Use Sunset

You can use sunset as a noun or adjective in a sentence. As a noun, use it to refer to the time in the evening after the sun disappears or the final period of someone’s or something’s life. An example sentence to explain is, “We can sadly confirm that Mark reached his sunset yesterday at noon.”

As an adjective, sunset refers to an act or something related to a decline or final phase. It is also time after the sun sinks its horizon.” In a sentence, “The law’s sunset was February 13th.” In this sentence, “sunset” further explains the time when the law reached its final phase.

Dusk vs. Sunset: What To Consider When Using These Words

The first thing you should consider when using these words is the context. The context refers to the situation where a word applies. A word with several meanings applies in different contexts.

For example, you can use the term sunset to refer to a time when the sun sinks below the western horizon, the termination period for a project, or when someone’s life ends. In contrast, you can use dusk to describe the evening time between daylight and darkness or lack of light.

Something else you should consider when using these words is which part of speech they belong to. For instance, you can use dusk as a noun, adjective, or verb. The meaning changes slightly when you use this word as a noun instead of a verb and vice versa. Simply put, the key is to remember these facts when using these words in sentences.

List Of Examples Of Dusk And Sunset In Sentences

Are you now ready to construct sentences with these words? If you still do not know where to start, you can check out the following sentence examples:

Examples sentences of dusk

  1. At dusk, the mourning students will come out and get on their boats in memory of their fallen companion.
  2. James’s mother will pick us up at dusk and drop all of us at our respective homes.
  3. The coming of dusk forced us back into our cabins even though we did not want to leave the party.
  4. The camp counselors instructed us to get the bonfire started at dusk so we could all spend some nighttime outside.
  5. After the judge signs the arrest warrant, the officers plan to execute it at dusk.

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Example sentences of sunset

  1. After sunset, we all went into one room and shared stories about our day’s activities, laughed, and made merry.
  2. With the sunset of the old software version, the company introduced a new business management tech tool.
  3. My parents love watching the sunset from their window and reminiscing about their first date.
  4. Sam and I sat on my bed and watched the sunset through the window after one of our most hectic days.
  5. September 11th was my grandma’s sunset and the saddest day in my life.

Conclusion

The difference between sunset and dusk is so small that it is easy for you to get confused. In a nutshell, sunset happens immediately after dusk. However, dusk relates to “making something dark or transitioning between light and dark.”

Also, sunset is related to “a decline, final face, or termination.” You can use both words figuratively or attributively. We discovered that the best way to differentiate these words is by their definitions and the contexts in which you can use them. Can you now tell the difference between dusk and sunset?