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 Booth
Synonyms
Example Sentences
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.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebQuinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 May 2023
The story, a kid-friendly adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s much darker fairy tale, quickly became one of the most beloved films in the Disney universe.
—Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 26 May 2023
This family-friendly trackless dark ride takes guests on an adorable and exciting journey with Remy and friends through Gusteau's restaurant.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2023
The Hoosier state is packed full of wineries, orchards and vineyards with everything from fruity moscatos to dark, dry reds and experimental ciders.
—The Indianapolis Star, 25 May 2023
Buffett and Slagsvol also stepped out for the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, where Slagsvol stunned in a sparkly floor-length dress, and Buffett wore a dark green suit jacket.
—Jessica Booth, Peoplemag, 24 May 2023
Toads need a few basic things: water in which to breed (a small backyard pond or even a ditch that holds water in the spring will suffice), a moist, dark place to hide and soil to burrow into.
—Kate Morgan, Washington Post, 24 May 2023
The offerings range from darker tones in Sycamore and Ochre to vibrant pieces in Blush and Azure.
—John Thompson, Men's Health, 24 May 2023
The residence boasts a sleek, black metal siding exterior and a handsome, dark Ipe wood entrance.
—Ryan Conner, Dallas News, 17 May 2023
Taymour Soomro Scott Conarroe, New York Times, 10 May 2023
That's necessary because the opposite of dark is light, so this [season] is light.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 9 May 2023
There is a race to finish eating and washing before dark.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 15 Apr. 2023
And in addition to the aforementioned dark, airtight containers Ordovás recommends, vitamin-C-serum consumers should also choose the L-ascorbic acid form of the product, and in concentration levels between 10% and 20%.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2023
The trick is finding the right ratio of dark to white.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2023
Cleves Village Councilwoman Judith Boyce noted there should be some security solutions because the park gate does not get locked, even past dark when the park is technically closed.
—Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 4 May 2023
In fact, active lighting is required by law in most states when bicycles are ridden after dark.
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2023
The Jewish ceremony was held after dark and Portman walked down the aisle in a gown made by Rodarte.
—Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2023
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
In the clip, the musical duo are chained to a structure along with a number of others who also feel alone in the world, unable to break free as the camera fans to dark, trippy shots of the two trading verses.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 7 Apr. 2023
That is a show that also goes from bleak to dark.
—Wired Staff, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2023
No matter where your skin falls on the spectrum of fair to dark, when shopping for foundations, concealers, and even lip, cheek, and eye shades, the key is to match your skin’s undertones, which fall into four primary categories: warm, neutral, cool, and olive.
—Laura Scholz, SELF, 2 Sep. 2022
For more information, visit speedmueum.org. Louisville Parks and Recreation Golf Courses: Golf courses are open from daylight to dark seven days a week.
—The Courier-Journal, 1 Mar. 2023
But, is there a general perception that light skin is dominant to dark in inheritance?
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 25 July 2011
But the evolutionary story behind this variation is shared: Over the course of human evolution, complexion evolved from light to dark to a continuous gradient, mediated by geography, genes and cultural practices.
—Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2019
See More
Adjective
As for her glam, the star wore her dark brunette hair in a tousled bun, paired with a matte nude lip.
—Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 May 2023
The story, a kid-friendly adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s much darker fairy tale, quickly became one of the most beloved films in the Disney universe.
—Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 26 May 2023
This family-friendly trackless dark ride takes guests on an adorable and exciting journey with Remy and friends through Gusteau's restaurant.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2023
The Hoosier state is packed full of wineries, orchards and vineyards with everything from fruity moscatos to dark, dry reds and experimental ciders.
—The Indianapolis Star, 25 May 2023
Buffett and Slagsvol also stepped out for the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, where Slagsvol stunned in a sparkly floor-length dress, and Buffett wore a dark green suit jacket.
—Jessica Booth, Peoplemag, 24 May 2023
Toads need a few basic things: water in which to breed (a small backyard pond or even a ditch that holds water in the spring will suffice), a moist, dark place to hide and soil to burrow into.
—Kate Morgan, Washington Post, 24 May 2023
The offerings range from darker tones in Sycamore and Ochre to vibrant pieces in Blush and Azure.
—John Thompson, Men's Health, 24 May 2023
The residence boasts a sleek, black metal siding exterior and a handsome, dark Ipe wood entrance.
—Ryan Conner, Dallas News, 17 May 2023
Noun
Its remoteness, its cold, its dark have always attracted an unusual inhabitant.
—Taymour Soomro Scott Conarroe, New York Times, 10 May 2023
That's necessary because the opposite of dark is light, so this [season] is light.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 9 May 2023
There is a race to finish eating and washing before dark.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 15 Apr. 2023
And in addition to the aforementioned dark, airtight containers Ordovás recommends, vitamin-C-serum consumers should also choose the L-ascorbic acid form of the product, and in concentration levels between 10% and 20%.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2023
The trick is finding the right ratio of dark to white.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2023
Cleves Village Councilwoman Judith Boyce noted there should be some security solutions because the park gate does not get locked, even past dark when the park is technically closed.
—Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 4 May 2023
In fact, active lighting is required by law in most states when bicycles are ridden after dark.
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2023
The Jewish ceremony was held after dark and Portman walked down the aisle in a gown made by Rodarte.
—Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2023
Verb
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
In the clip, the musical duo are chained to a structure along with a number of others who also feel alone in the world, unable to break free as the camera fans to dark, trippy shots of the two trading verses.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 7 Apr. 2023
That is a show that also goes from bleak to dark.
—Wired Staff, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2023
No matter where your skin falls on the spectrum of fair to dark, when shopping for foundations, concealers, and even lip, cheek, and eye shades, the key is to match your skin’s undertones, which fall into four primary categories: warm, neutral, cool, and olive.
—Laura Scholz, SELF, 2 Sep. 2022
For more information, visit speedmueum.org. Louisville Parks and Recreation Golf Courses: Golf courses are open from daylight to dark seven days a week.
—The Courier-Journal, 1 Mar. 2023
But, is there a general perception that light skin is dominant to dark in inheritance?
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 25 July 2011
But the evolutionary story behind this variation is shared: Over the course of human evolution, complexion evolved from light to dark to a continuous gradient, mediated by geography, genes and cultural practices.
—Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2019
See More
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.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of dark was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing dark
Dictionary Entries Near dark
Cite this Entry
“Dark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dark. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on dark
Nglish: Translation of dark for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of dark for Arabic Speakers
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