sunset

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   The time in the evening when the sun goes down below the horizon and the sky becomes dark.

   Grammar: Often used without an article when talking about the time in general: 'We arrived at sunset.' With 'a' when describing a particular one: 'a beautiful sunset.'

   Patterns

   • at sunset
   • a sunset
   • the sunset

   We sat on the beach and watched the sunset.

   The park closes at sunset.

   There was a gorgeous sunset over the mountains last night.

2. 2nouncountablebusinesslegal

   The planned ending of a law, program, or agreement after a fixed period.

   Grammar: Used mainly in legal and business contexts; often followed by 'on' or 'of': 'the sunset of the tax cut.'

   Patterns

   • sunset of something
   • sunset on something
   • sunset clause

   The law includes a sunset that will end the program in five years.

   Negotiators agreed to a sunset on the trade agreement.

   The committee discussed the sunset of the old regulations.

3. 3adjectivebefore a noun

   Relating to the time when the sun goes down, or to the end of a period.

   Grammar: Always used before a noun: 'sunset hour,' 'sunset years.'

   Patterns

   • sunset hour
   • sunset years

   The sunset colors were pink and orange.

   He enjoyed his sunset years in a quiet village.

Word forms

Common combinations

watch the sunset

We drove to the cliff to watch the sunset.

at sunset

The flag is lowered at sunset.

a beautiful sunset

It was a beautiful sunset, with streaks of gold.

sunset clause

The contract has a sunset clause that ends it after ten years.

before sunset

We need to be back before sunset.

Synonyms and how they differ

dusk

Dusk is the darker period after the sun has set, while sunset is the exact moment it disappears.

sundown

Sundown is a common synonym, especially in American English, but it is slightly more informal.

twilight

Twilight is the soft light after sunset, not the event itself.

Opposites

Word family

sun noun

The star that gives us light and heat.

sunset noun

The time when the sun goes down.

sunrise noun

The time when the sun comes up.

Commonly confused: sunset or sunrise?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “sunset”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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