daybreak
gb/dˈeɪbɹˌeɪk/ us/dˈeɪbɹˌeɪk/
B2
Inglés
~ 7300
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Sustantivo
B2
event
1
time when first light appears
The time early in the morning when it first starts to get light, just before you can see the sun.
Patrón de uso:
at daybreak
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use the wrong preposition and say *in daybreak* or *on daybreak*; the natural phrase is *at daybreak*. They may also confuse *daybreak* with *sunrise*: *daybreak* is when it first gets light, which can be slightly before the sun appears.
Sinónimos
dawn (The most common word for this time; slightly broader and more neutral in style than 'daybreak'.)
|
sunrise (Focuses on the moment when the sun actually appears, while 'daybreak' is when it first becomes light.)
|
first light (Very close in meaning; a little more informal and descriptive.)
Antónimos
nightfall (Refers to the time when it becomes dark in the evening, the opposite of light beginning in the morning.)
Colocaciones
at daybreak
|before daybreak
|by daybreak
|since daybreak
|until daybreak
|from daybreak to dusk
Temas
time
|nature
|daily life
|weather
Ejemplos
- They set out for the summit at daybreak to avoid the heat.
- By daybreak, the storm had finally passed.
- We had been driving since daybreak and were exhausted.
- The city streets are strangely quiet at daybreak.
- Fishermen left the harbor before daybreak to reach deeper waters.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- We started our trip at daybreak.
- It was cold and dark before daybreak.
- The birds began to sing at daybreak.
- By daybreak, the heavy rain stopped.
Sustantivo
literary
C1
state
2
very beginning of a period
The very early time of a new period, activity, or change.
Patrón de uso:
the daybreak of [a period]
Error frecuente:
Learners may try to use this figurative sense in very ordinary situations, where *beginning* or *start* is more natural. This sense is typically used in literary or formal writing about history, big changes, or important periods, not about simple daily events.
Sinónimos
dawn (The usual figurative word for the beginning of a period; more frequent than *daybreak* in this sense.)
|
birth (Emphasizes the creation or start of something new, not the time of day image.)
|
start (Very general word for the beginning; lacks the poetic or historical flavor of *daybreak*.)
Antónimos
twilight (Often used figuratively for the last part of a period, the opposite of an early beginning.)
Colocaciones
the daybreak of a new era
|the daybreak of civilization
|the daybreak of the digital age
|the daybreak of her career
Temas
history
|metaphor
|time
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- Historians often describe this period as the daybreak of modern democracy.
- At the daybreak of the internet age, few people imagined how much it would change daily life.
- The discovery marked the daybreak of a new era in medical research.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Many writers call this time the daybreak of a new age.
- The small project was the daybreak of her long career.
- The book tells the story of the daybreak of the modern city.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
daybreak
AFI
GB/dˈeɪbɹˌeɪk/
US/dˈeɪbɹˌeɪk/
Sílabas y acento
day - break (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (day)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: daybreak
- Plural: daybreak
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
at daybreak
1/ˈæt dˈeɪbɹˌeɪk/
fixed phrase
at the time of first light
At the time early in the morning when it first starts to get light.
Ejemplos
- We plan to leave at daybreak to avoid traffic.
- The soldiers attacked at daybreak, when the fog was still thick.
- Farmers often begin work at daybreak in the summer.
before daybreak
1/bɪfˈɔɹ dˈeɪbɹˌeɪk/
fixed phrase
earlier than first light
At a time in the night that is still very early, before it starts to get light.
Ejemplos
- The bakery starts work before daybreak to have fresh bread ready.
- We arrived at the airport before daybreak and waited for the first flight.
- He slipped out of the house before daybreak so no one would see him leave.
by daybreak
1/bˈaɪ dˈeɪbɹˌeɪk/
fixed phrase
no later than first light
Not later than the time when it first starts to get light in the morning.
Ejemplos
- They hoped to reach the village by daybreak.
- The firefighters had the blaze under control by daybreak.
- You need to be home by daybreak, before your parents wake up.
since daybreak
1/sˈɪns dˈeɪbɹˌeɪk/
fixed phrase
from first light until now
From daybreak until now or until another time you are talking about.
Ejemplos
- We have been on the road since daybreak.
- The phones have not stopped ringing since daybreak.
- She has been working in the fields since daybreak.
until daybreak
1/ʌntˈɪl dˈeɪbɹˌeɪk/
fixed phrase
up to the time of first light
Continuing and not stopping before daybreak.
Ejemplos
- They talked and played cards until daybreak.
- The guards stayed awake until daybreak, watching the camp.
- The music went on until daybreak, and no one seemed tired.