What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dawn
Example
The birds started chirping at dawn. [dawn: noun]
Example
We watched the sky turn pink at dawn. [dawn: adjective]
sunrise
Example
We woke up early to catch the sunrise over the ocean. [sunrise: noun]
Example
The sky was painted with shades of orange and pink during the sunrise. [sunrise: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sunrise is more commonly used than dawn in everyday language. Sunrise is often used in poetry and literature to describe the beauty of the early morning sky, while dawn is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between dawn and sunrise?
Both dawn and sunrise are considered neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
