dark

1 of 3

adjective

ˈdärk 

darker; darkest

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

dark blue

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 space

5

: intense in color, coloring, or pigmentation : not light or fair

dark hair

a dark complexion

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

darkish

ˈdär-kish 

adjective

darkly adverb

dark

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: a place or time of little or no light : night, nightfall

get home before dark

b

: absence of light : darkness

afraid of the dark

2

a

: a color of low or very low lightness : a dark or deep color

—usually plural

a painter who uses a lot of darks

b

darks plural : clothing that is dark in color

separated the darks and the lights before starting the laundry

see also in the dark, go dark

dark

3 of 3

verb

darked; darking; darks

intransitive verb

obsolete : to grow dark (see dark entry 1)

transitive verb

: to make dark

Synonyms of dark

Adjective

• dim
• murky
• black

Noun

• shadows
• black
• darkness
• blackness
• night
• dusk
• twilight
• gloom

Choose the Right Synonym for dark

obscure, dark, vague, enigmatic, cryptic, ambiguous, equivocal mean not clearly understandable.

obscure implies a hiding or veiling of meaning through some inadequacy of expression or withholding of full knowledge.

obscure poems

dark implies an imperfect or clouded revelation often with ominous or sinister suggestion.

muttered dark hints of revenge

vague implies a lack of clear formulation due to inadequate conception or consideration.

a vague sense of obligation

enigmatic stresses a puzzling, mystifying quality.

enigmatic occult writings

cryptic implies a purposely concealed meaning.

cryptic hints of hidden treasure

ambiguous applies to language capable of more than one interpretation.

an ambiguous directive

equivocal applies to language left open to differing interpretations with the intention of deceiving or evading.

moral precepts with equivocal phrasing

Examples of dark in a Sentence

Adjective

She sat in the dark room alone.

Soon it will be dark enough to see the stars.

It was a dark and stormy night.

Dark clouds of smoke were coming from the windows.

She's wearing a dark suit to the interview.

a man wearing dark clothing

You've got dark circles under your eyes this morning.

dark spots on the skin

Noun

He's 12 years old and still afraid of the dark.

The burglars hid in the dark between the two buildings.

He bought the kids special rings that glow in the dark.

We'd better get home before dark.

They waited until after dark to begin their escape.

He uses lots of darks in his decorating.

Wash the lights and the darks separately.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Given the role that fear plays in Derry, Hanlon becomes an integral player in the military’s quest to infiltrate and extract the town’s dark curse. —Andrew McGowan, Variety, 14 Dec. 2025

These meteors are best seen during the last dark hour before dawn, when the radiant lies highest above the horizon in a dark sky. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 14 Dec. 2025

Noun

Some schools have also closed temporarily, while residents in parts of northern Japan avoid going out after dark. —Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025

Its needs will change, including needing 16 hours of uninterrupted dark each day for six weeks. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2025

Verb

The nine scents on our list offer a range of approaches, from crisp and modern to dark and enveloping, each designed to linger in memory long after the night ends. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2025

The light to dark pink blossoms of the phlox intermingle with the bold yellow petals and dark centers of the black-eyed Susans. —Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Noun, and Verb

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

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing dark

• as black/dark as pitch
• a stab in the dark
• cast a (dark) cloud
• dark adaptation
• dark age
• dark chocolate
• dark continent
• dark energy
• dark-eyed junco
• dark field
• dark-field microscope
• dark glasses
• dark horse
• dark kitchen
• dark lantern
• dark matter
• dark meat
• dark reaction
• dark roast
• dark-skinned
• dark web
• go dark
• in the dark
• kept in the dark
• pitch-dark
• shot in the dark
• the dark
• the dark ages
• whistle in the dark

Rhymes for dark

• arc
• ark
• bark
• barque
• hark
• lark
• marc
• mark
• marque
• narc
• quark
• shark

Kids Definition

dark

1 of 2 adjective

ˈdärk 

1

a

: being without light or without much light

in winter it gets dark early

b

: not giving off light

the dark side of the moon

2

: not light in color

a dark suit

dark blue

3

: not bright and cheerful : gloomy

look on the dark side of things

4

: being without knowledge and culture : ignorant

a dark period in history

5

: secret entry 1 sense 1a

kept their plans dark

6

: not clear to the understanding

puzzled us with his dark sayings

darkish

ˈdär-kish 

adjective

darkly

-klē

adverb

darkness

ˈdärk-nəs

noun

dark

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: absence of light : darkness

b

: a place or time of little or no light : night, nightfall

get home before dark

2

: a dark or deep color