dark academia

noun

variants or less commonly Dark Academia

: an aesthetic (see aesthetic entry 2 sense 2) in literature, interior design, fashion, etc. that is reminiscent of or characterized by stereotypical hallmarks of affluent higher education at traditional elite institutions and that in fiction is often marked by mysterious or gothic themes

This modern classic of dark academia has many passages of the kind often found in a novel of the mind: The main character … is a small-town California boy wildly out of place at an elite New England college.

—Maya Chung

Dark academia embraces formal clothing, dimly lit rooms, gothic architecture, and marble statues. It takes inspiration from works of fiction like The Secret History, The Dead Poets Society, and Kill Your Darlings.

—Elena Cavender

According to fashion experts, dark academia thrives in winter because its spirit is mirrored in the season—moody, introspective, quietly elegant.

—Anagha Sawant

—often used before another noun

With the delectable blend of old-world lore, dreary backdrops, and a Shakespeare reference or two, dark academia novels are ideal for getting into the swing of the school year.

—Liz Doupnik

… you can turn those cute little figurines into bronze statues worthy of any dark academia decor scheme using a bit of black spray paint and $8 gilding wax.

—Olivia Harvey

Most recently the names of Dark Academia color palettes have jostled me from my sleep—Turkish Coffee, Essex Green, Urbane Bronze, Vintage Vogue.

—Greta McDonough

Word History

First Known Use

2018, in the meaning defined above