crepuscule: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowLiterary, Poetic, Formal
Quick answer
What does “crepuscule” mean?
Twilight.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Twilight; the dim, soft light occurring at dawn or dusk.
A period of gradual decline or transition; a state of partial obscurity or ambiguity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare and literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes a romantic, melancholic, or mysterious atmosphere. Associated with poetic description.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both British and American English. 'Twilight' is the universal, common term.
Grammar
How to Use “crepuscule” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] crepuscule [VERBed] over the [NOUN].They walked in the [ADJ] crepuscule.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crepuscule” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The light began to crepuscule over the moors. (rare/poetic)
American English
- Shadows crepusculed the canyon floor. (rare/poetic)
adverb
British English
- The figure moved crepuscularly through the fog. (extremely rare)
American English
- The fireflies appeared crepuscularly. (extremely rare)
adjective
British English
- The crepuscular glow made the old castle look ethereal.
American English
- We observed the bats' crepuscular feeding habits.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, may appear in literary analysis, art history, or descriptive geography.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Rarely in astronomy or meteorology for precise descriptions of light conditions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crepuscule”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crepuscule”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crepuscule”
- Misspelling as 'crepuscle' or 'crepuscul'.
- Using it in casual speech.
- Pronouncing it /kriːˈpʌskjʊl/ (over-emphasizing the 'pu').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare and used almost exclusively in literary, poetic, or highly descriptive formal writing.
They mean the same thing, but 'twilight' is the standard, everyday word. 'Crepuscule' is a literary synonym that sounds more formal and evocative.
Yes, technically it can refer to the half-light of either dawn or dusk, though it is most commonly associated with evening twilight.
The adjective is 'crepuscular', which is more common, especially in biology (e.g., 'crepuscular animals' are active at dawn and dusk).
Twilight.
Crepuscule is usually literary, poetic, formal in register.
Crepuscule: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɛpəskjuːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɛpəˌskjul/ or /krɪˈpʌskjəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CREPUScule' sounding like 'CREPES' - you might eat crepes at a romantic, dimly-lit (crepuscular) café at dusk.
Conceptual Metaphor
TWILIGHT IS A TRANSITION / TWILIGHT IS OBSCURITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'crepuscule' be MOST appropriate?