Dawn vs. Dusk
Main DifferenceOne might have heard the idiom from Dawn to Dusk, actually both these words dawn and dusk refers to the specific times of the day. The idiom mentioned above means from early morning until night. So it should be made sure that dawn is regarding the day and dusk is regarding the night. Dawn is the time of the day when night ends and the first light appears in the sky before sunrise, in other words we can say that dawn is the starting of the day and ending of the day, On the other hand, dusk is the time of the day just before the sunset when the light disappears in the sky and the night is just on its way to start.

Difference Between Dawn and Dusk
Dawn vs. Dusk
Dawn is the time of the day when night ends and the first light appears in the sky before sunrise, while dusk is the time of the day just before the sunset when the light disappears in the sky and the night is just on its way to start.
Dawn vs. Dusk
Dawn is the time in between night and day, whereas the dusk is the time in between evening and night.
Dawn vs. Dusk
Dawn is associated with calmness and hope in the English literature, whereas dusk is associated with sadness or severity in the English literature.
Dawn vs. Dusk
The word dusk is derived from the Old English term ‘dox’ meaning complete darkness, on the other hand, the word dawn is derived from the Old English term ‘dagian’, which refers to the time when first light falls.
Dawnverb
(intransitive) To begin to brighten with daylight.
A new day dawns.Dusknoun
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.
Dawnverb
(intransitive) To start to appear or be realized.
I don’t want to be there when the truth dawns on him.Dusknoun
A darkish colour.
Dawnverb
(intransitive) To begin to give promise; to begin to appear or to expand.
Duskverb
(intransitive) To begin to lose light or whiteness; to grow dusk.
Dawnnoun
(uncountable) The morning twilight period immediately before sunrise.
Duskverb
(transitive) To make dusk.
Dawnnoun
(countable) The rising of the sun.
Duskadjective
Tending to darkness or blackness; moderately dark or black; dusky.
Dawnnoun
(uncountable) The time when the sun rises.
She rose before dawn to meet the train.Dusknoun
the time of day immediately following sunset;
he loved the twilightthey finished before the fall of nightDawnnoun
(uncountable) The beginning.
the dawn of civilizationDawnnoun
the first light of day;
we got up before dawnthey talked until morningDawnnoun
the earliest period;
the dawn of civilizationthe morning of the worldDawnnoun
an opening time period;
it was the dawn of the Roman EmpireDawnverb
become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions;
It dawned on him that she had betrayed himshe was penetrated with sorrowDawnverb
appear or develop;
The age of computers had dawnedDawnverb
become light;
It started to dawn, and we had to get upComparison Chart
Dawn | Dusk |
Dawn is the time of the day when night ends and the first light appears in the sky before sunrise. | Dusk is the time of the day just before the sunset when the light disappears in the sky and the night is just on its way to start. |
Time Period | |
Dawn is the time in between night and day. | Dusk is the time in between evening and night. |
Association | |
Dawn is associated with calmness and hope in the English literature. | Dusk is associated with sadness or severity in the English literature. |
Derived | |
The word dawn is derived from the Old English term ‘dagian’, which refers to the time when first light falls. | The word dusk is derived from the Old English term ‘dox’ meaning complete darkness. |
What is Dawn?
It is the time of the day for the limited duration just before the full sunrise. In other words we can say that it is the time period when the night is ending and the day is commencing. It is neither not nor morning as the first light of the day appears in the dark sky. The light taken as the first light of the day is the sunlight, though rather than yellowish color light it appears to be of red color. Rather just a specific time of the day, dawn is symbolized as hope and wisdom in the literature. In many of the world religions dawn is one of the most ideal time to pray and meditate. It is also associated with good health as experts believe that waking up at dawn makes you mentally healthy and physically fit.
What is Dusk?
It is the time of the day when daylight fades and the night is about to come. The sun disappears in the sky and gives quite the similar view as of the dawn. Although dusk is the much busier time of the day as the night is just about to start and commuters are on their way back to homes but in literature it is taken as an unhappy or depressed time as darkness is just about to fall. It should be kept mentioned that in literature morning or dawn is seen as a ray of hope, whereas night or dusk is seen as a a sad or low morale time of the day. The word dusk is derived from the Old English term ‘dox’ meaning complete darkness. Dusk is the time of the day in between evening and night, the sunsets and the night or darkness takes over the sky.