dark

¹dark

adj \ˈdärk\

Definition of DARK

1

a : devoid or partially devoid of light : not receiving, reflecting, transmitting, or radiating light <a dark room> b : transmitting only a portion of light <dark glasses>

2

a : wholly or partially black <dark clothing> b of a color : of low or very low lightness c : being less light in color than other substances of the same kind <dark rum>

3

a : arising from or showing evil traits or desires : evil <the dark powers that lead to war> b : dismal, gloomy <had a dark view of the future> c : lacking knowledge or culture : unenlightened <a dark period in history> d : relating to grim or depressing circumstances <dark humor>

4

a : not clear to the understanding b : not known or explored because of remoteness <the darkest reaches of the continent>

5

: not fair in complexion : swarthy

6

: secret <kept his plans dark>

7

: possessing depth and richness <a dark voice>

8

: closed to the public <the theater is dark in the summer>

— dark·ish \ˈdär-kish\ adjective

— dark·ly adverb

— dark·ness noun

Examples of DARK

1. She sat in the dark room alone.
2. Soon it will be dark enough to see the stars.
3. It was a dark and stormy night.
4. Dark clouds of smoke were coming from the windows.
5. She's wearing a dark suit to the interview.
6. a man wearing dark clothing
7. You've got dark circles under your eyes this morning.
8. dark spots on the skin

Origin of DARK

Middle English derk, from Old English deorc; akin to Old High German tarchannen to hide

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to DARK

Synonyms: black, caliginous, darkened, darkish, darkling, darksome, dim, dimmed, dusk, dusky, gloomy, lightless, murky, obscure, obscured, pitch-black, pitch-dark, pitchy, rayless, somber (or sombre), stygian, tenebrific, tenebrous, unlit

Antonyms: bright, brightened, brilliant, illuminated, illumined, light, lit (or lighted), lightsome, lucent, lucid, luminous

Related Words: crepuscular, twilit; moonless, starless, sunless; cloudy, dull, dulled, lackluster; shadowlike, shadowy, shady; gray (also grey), leaden, pale; beclouded, befogged, clouded, foggy, fuliginous, misty, smoggy, soupy

Near Antonyms: ablaze, agleam, aglitter, alight, beaming, beamy, effulgent, glaring, glowing, incandescent, lambent, radiant, relucent, resplendent, shining, sparkling; ultrabright; glossy, lustrous, shiny; floodlit (also floodlighted), highlighted, spotlighted (or spotlit); moonlit, moony, starlit, sunlit

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at obscure

Rhymes with DARK

arc, ark, bark, hark, lark, marc, MARC, mark, Mark, marque, narc, nark, park, Park, quark, sark, shark, spark, stark