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
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
: 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
darkly
adverb
1
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
Phrases
in the dark
1
: in secrecy
most of his dealings were done in the dark
2
: in ignorance
kept the public in the dark about the agreement
1
: to become dark
The room suddenly went dark.
2
a
: to stop operating or functioning : to shut down
Most Salt Lake City restaurants go dark on Sundays …—
Kurt Repanshek
Kurt RepanshekAndy Beal was one of 220 million subscribers to Skype … who saw the service go dark on Aug. 16.—Stephen Baker
Stephen BakerIn the end, the heart stops, the cells die, the neurons go dark …—Joshua Ferris
Joshua Ferris
b
communications
: to stop broadcasting or transmitting : to go offline
The roosters were just beginning to crow in that lost hour before dawn when Lt. Col. Steve Russell of the Army's 4th Infantry Division ordered his men to "go dark" and roll their Humvees up to the edge of a lone farmhouse here.—William Booth
William BoothSynonyms
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 WebAbc News, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2024
The novel, noninvasive genomic approach to detecting skin cancer relies on a smart sticker that is placed on a mole or dark skin patch.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
Then things come crashing down—Napoleon becomes an Emperor, the aristocracy is becoming ridiculously sociopathic, the world is becoming darker, and the church is ridiculous.
—Jennie Punter, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024
Child lined Megan's lips with a liner a few shades darker than the bright red center color for a subtle ombré effect.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 18 Apr. 2024
Her earthy brown pants and button-down were a few shades darker than her large beige blazer layered over.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 18 Apr. 2024
The maximalist ’fit included a boxy, oatmeal-colored jacket over a collared dress shirt in a darker shade of taupe, unbuttoned to reveal just a hint of cleavage.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2024
The cicadas are coming:Check out a 2024 map of where the two broods will emerge
What is the cicada killer wasp?
Cicada killer wasps are about 2 inches long, according to the Smithsonian, and are black or dark brown with colorful yellow markings on their abdomen.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024
For a bathroom that feels like a relaxing retreat, look to soft neutrals and hues inspired by nature, including muted greens, pale blues, or soft pinks—but don't rule out moody, dark colors, which can also add a relaxing feel by upping the cozy factor.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2024
Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
Tornadoes that occur after dark can be more dangerous because so many people are asleep.
—Julie Bosman, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
But in the cold dark of the mountains, with not a fishbowl cocktail or foam party to be found, the director put the kettle on and celebrated with a cup of tea.
—Thomas Page, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024
Even better, the new solar project selling electricity to Allegiant is paired with batteries to store sunlight for after dark.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024
For instance, Drakeford says to hang clothes according to category, and encourages arranging each item by color and style (light to dark and short to long).
—Blake Bakkila, Sunset Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024
Despite the playful title, the lyrics penned by Keith and and frequent collaborator Scotty Emerick hinted at a a dark underbelly to the American dream, with images of people being shot, abused, someone blowing up a building and stealing a car.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Feb. 2024
Your body tries to conserve water by using less in your pee, causing that dark color.5 Other dehydration symptoms include dry mouth and skin, dizziness, extreme thirst, and fatigue.6
Drink more water to check if you are dehydrated.
—Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 4 Jan. 2024
Here are some ideas: Change the chocolate: Instead of white chocolate on the rim, use milk or dark.
—Christine Fiorentino, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2023
Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2024
Some of the county's older printers simply struggled to print ballots dark enough to be read by on-site tabulators because of the length and thickness of midterm ballots, according to the independent review.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024
In that way, Saturday gave a sense not merely of bracing conditions of autumn, but of the departing season’s resolve not to yield too soon to dark and chill winter.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 10 Dec. 2023
This includes everything from full matte coverage and gradient eyebrows, to dark updos and sharp nails.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 1 Dec. 2023
Each day has a different roast with a variety of notes from light and bright to dark and bold.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2023
In other words, if the base of the nail features a dark to light gradient, then the tip should feature a light to dark one.
—Allure, 27 Dec. 2022
The farm is open from daylight to dark seven days a week.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 26 May 2023
Each of their designs focuses on just one color that fades gradually from light to dark in a smooth gradient or soft mountainscape vista.
—Hollyanna McCollom, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Mar. 2023
Adjective
The book recounts Takei's time as a child in a Japanese internment camp in Rohwer, Arkansas, a dark chapter in American history.
—Abc News, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2024
The novel, noninvasive genomic approach to detecting skin cancer relies on a smart sticker that is placed on a mole or dark skin patch.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
Then things come crashing down—Napoleon becomes an Emperor, the aristocracy is becoming ridiculously sociopathic, the world is becoming darker, and the church is ridiculous.
—Jennie Punter, Variety, 18 Apr. 2024
Child lined Megan's lips with a liner a few shades darker than the bright red center color for a subtle ombré effect.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 18 Apr. 2024
Her earthy brown pants and button-down were a few shades darker than her large beige blazer layered over.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 18 Apr. 2024
The maximalist ’fit included a boxy, oatmeal-colored jacket over a collared dress shirt in a darker shade of taupe, unbuttoned to reveal just a hint of cleavage.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2024
The cicadas are coming:Check out a 2024 map of where the two broods will emerge
What is the cicada killer wasp?
Cicada killer wasps are about 2 inches long, according to the Smithsonian, and are black or dark brown with colorful yellow markings on their abdomen.
—Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024
For a bathroom that feels like a relaxing retreat, look to soft neutrals and hues inspired by nature, including muted greens, pale blues, or soft pinks—but don't rule out moody, dark colors, which can also add a relaxing feel by upping the cozy factor.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2024
Noun
Return to Oz, Disney’s 1985 dark take on Dorothy Gale (played by a then-9-year-old Fairuza Balk), shares its creative DNA with Star Wars.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024
Tornadoes that occur after dark can be more dangerous because so many people are asleep.
—Julie Bosman, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
But in the cold dark of the mountains, with not a fishbowl cocktail or foam party to be found, the director put the kettle on and celebrated with a cup of tea.
—Thomas Page, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024
Even better, the new solar project selling electricity to Allegiant is paired with batteries to store sunlight for after dark.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2024
For instance, Drakeford says to hang clothes according to category, and encourages arranging each item by color and style (light to dark and short to long).
—Blake Bakkila, Sunset Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024
Despite the playful title, the lyrics penned by Keith and and frequent collaborator Scotty Emerick hinted at a a dark underbelly to the American dream, with images of people being shot, abused, someone blowing up a building and stealing a car.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 6 Feb. 2024
Your body tries to conserve water by using less in your pee, causing that dark color.5 Other dehydration symptoms include dry mouth and skin, dizziness, extreme thirst, and fatigue.6
Drink more water to check if you are dehydrated.
—Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 4 Jan. 2024
Here are some ideas: Change the chocolate: Instead of white chocolate on the rim, use milk or dark.
—Christine Fiorentino, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2023
Verb
Blooms vary in color from creamy white to dark pink and purple with spotted throats.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2024
Some of the county's older printers simply struggled to print ballots dark enough to be read by on-site tabulators because of the length and thickness of midterm ballots, according to the independent review.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 29 Jan. 2024
In that way, Saturday gave a sense not merely of bracing conditions of autumn, but of the departing season’s resolve not to yield too soon to dark and chill winter.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 10 Dec. 2023
This includes everything from full matte coverage and gradient eyebrows, to dark updos and sharp nails.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 1 Dec. 2023
Each day has a different roast with a variety of notes from light and bright to dark and bold.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2023
In other words, if the base of the nail features a dark to light gradient, then the tip should feature a light to dark one.
—Allure, 27 Dec. 2022
The farm is open from daylight to dark seven days a week.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 26 May 2023
Each of their designs focuses on just one color that fades gradually from light to dark in a smooth gradient or soft mountainscape vista.
—Hollyanna McCollom, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dark.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dark
Cite this Entry
“Dark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dark. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dark
1 of 2 adjective1
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
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