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Dawn

/dɔn/

nounverbA2

Definition

Dawn is the moment in the early morning when the sky starts to become light but the sun has not yet come up. It marks the start of a new day. As a verb, "to dawn" means that something begins to be understood or noticed.

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⚡ See It in Action

The early morning time when light first appears

  • •We woke up at dawn to watch the birds.
  • •The sky was beautiful at dawn with soft colors.
  • •Farmers start work at dawn when the light comes.

(verb) To begin to be understood or noticed

  • •It dawned on me that I forgot my keys.
  • •The idea dawned slowly as she listened.
  • •Suddenly, it dawned that he was right.

🧲 Make It Stick

  • ✓Think of "dawn" like "morning," but the very first light before the sun is visible.
  • ✓Picture the sky slowly changing from dark blue to light blue and pink as the sun is about to rise.
  • ✓It's the peaceful feeling you get when you wake up early and see the world slowly waking up too.
  • ✓Sounds like "dawn" → imagine a door (sounds like "dawn") opening slowly to let in light.
  • ✓Think of stories where heroes start their journey at dawn, a new beginning full of hope.
  • ✓NOT like "sunrise" (sun is visible), dawn is the light before the sun appears.
  • ✓As a verb, NOT like "realize" (sudden understanding), "dawn" is a slow, gentle coming of understanding.

🔄 Try Other Words

  • •Sunrise: the time when the sun actually appears above the horizon (Use when the sun is visible)
  • •Daybreak: another word for dawn, the first light of day (Use interchangeably with dawn)
  • •Early morning: the first part of the morning after dawn (Use when talking about a time after dawn)

🔍 Unboxing

  • •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix, base word "dawn")
  • •Etymology: Old English "dægn" meaning "day" or "to dawn" meaning to become day
  • •Historical development: Used since old times to describe the start of the day; verb form developed to describe beginning or becoming clear
  • •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe early morning light and the start of new ideas or understanding

💭 Reflect & Connect

•How do you feel when you see the dawn outside your window? Does it change your mood or thoughts?
•Can the word "dawn" be used to describe new beginnings in life? How?

Fill in the blanks with the correct word:

1.We woke up very early because the ___ was just starting to show light in the sky.
2.It suddenly ___ on me that I had left my phone at home.
3.The birds start singing at ___, even before the sun is up.
4.Unlike sunrise, dawn happens ___ the sun appears.
5.When the sun rises, the ___ changes into full daylight.
6.The idea ___ slowly after I listened carefully to the explanation.
7.At ___, the world feels calm and quiet before people begin their day.