What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Eclipse vs Sunset - What's the difference?

eclipse | sunset |

As nouns the difference between eclipse and sunset

is that eclipse is an alignment of astronomical objects in which a planetary object (for example, the Moon) comes between the Sun and another planetary object (for example, the Earth), resulting in a shadow being cast by the middle planetary object onto the other planetary object while sunset is the time of day when the sun disappears below the western horizon.

As verbs the difference between eclipse and sunset

is that eclipse is of astronomical bodies, to cause an eclipse while sunset is to phase out.

eclipse

Noun

(en noun)
  • (astronomy) An alignment of astronomical objects in which a planetary object (for example, the Moon) comes between the Sun and another planetary object (for example, the Earth), resulting in a shadow being cast by the middle planetary object onto the other planetary object.
  • A seasonal state of plumage in some birds, notably ducks, adopted temporarily after the breeding season and characterised by a dull and scruffy appearance.
  • , decline, downfall
  • * , ''A Dictionary of the English Language , Volume 2, unnumbered page,
  • All the posterity of our first parents suffered a perpetual eclipse of spiritual life.
  • * 1820', '', '''1839 , ''The Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley , page 340,
  • As in the soft and sweet eclipse , / When soul meets soul on lovers' lips.
  • * 1929 , , (A House is Built) , Chapter VIII, Section ii
  • Nor were the wool prospects much better. The industry of the colony, was threatened once more with eclipse .

    Derived terms

    * lunar eclipse * solar eclipse * total eclipse

    See also

    * occultation * syzygy

    Verb

  • Of astronomical bodies, to cause an eclipse.
  • The Moon eclipsed the Sun.
  • To overshadow; to be better or more noticeable than.
  • The student’s skills soon eclipsed those of his teacher.
  • * Shakespeare
  • My joy of liberty is half eclipsed .
  • (Irish grammar) To undergo eclipsis.
  • sunset

    English

    (wikipedia sunset)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The time of day when the sun disappears below the western horizon.
  • The changes in color of the sky at sunset.
  • (figuratively) The final period of the life of a person or thing.
  • * Campbell
  • 'Tis the sunset of life gives me mystical lore.
    one's sunset years
  • (attributively) Having a set termination date.
  • The tax increase legislation included a sunset clause requiring renewal to prevent the tax increase from expiring.
  • The region where the sun sets; the west.
  • Synonyms

    * (time) dusk, sundown (US), nightfall, twilight * (change in color of the sky at sunset) * (final period of life) end, final act, swansong * last, terminal, twilight

    Antonyms

    * sunrise

    Derived terms

    * sunset shell * sunset years

    See also

    * moonset

    Verb

  • (business, politics, transitive) To phase out.
  • We'll be sunsetting version 1.9 of the software shortly after releasing version 2.0 next quarter.

    References

    Anagrams

    *