nightfall
word
/ˈnaɪtˌfɔɫ/
/nˈaɪtfɔːl/
Definition
The time when the day ends and night begins; the onset of darkness.
Usage & Nuances
'Nightfall' is a literary or somewhat formal word, used more in stories or descriptions than daily speech. It refers to the moment darkness starts, not midnight. Common collocations: 'by nightfall', 'at nightfall'. Do not confuse with 'sunset' (when the sun goes below the horizon) or 'dusk' (the fading light after sunset).
Spanish: anochecer - caída de la nochePortuguese (BR): anoitecerPortuguese (PT): anoitecerChinese (Simplified): 傍晚 - 天黑Chinese (Traditional): 傍晚 - 入夜Hindi: शाम ढलनाArabic: حلول الظلام - الغروبBengali: সন্ধ্যা - রাত নামাRussian: сумерки - наступление ночиJapanese: 日暮れ - 黄昏Vietnamese: chạng vạng - lúc trời tốiKorean: 해질녘 - 해가 지는 때Turkish: akşam karanlığı - gece vaktiUrdu: رات کا آغاز - شام کا چھاناIndonesian: senja - waktu malam tiba
Example Sentences
They returned home before nightfall.
basic
The forest becomes quiet at nightfall.
basic
The animals hide when nightfall comes.
basic
Let’s finish the hike before nightfall so we don’t get lost.
natural
By nightfall, the lights in the town were already glowing.
natural
Farmers hurry to finish their work before nightfall every day.
natural