# first light

CEFR B2 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/first-light
Updated: 2026-08-02

## Definition

the very beginning of the day when the sun starts to come up.

For teachers: the time of day when light first appears in the sky; dawn. Uncountable in its primary sense, often used in prepositional phrases indicating timing.

## Examples

- We need to leave at first light to beat the traffic.
- The hikers woke up at first light so they could reach the mountain peak before the afternoon heat.
- The scouts dispersed at first light, their silhouettes barely visible against the grey horizon as they began the search.

## Usage notes

- usually follows the preposition 'at' to indicate the time an action begins.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'dawn' (more common) and 'daybreak' (more literary); 'first light' often implies a specific moment of starting a journey or task.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.