darkling

1 of 2

adverb

dark·​ling ˈdär-kliŋ 

: in the dark

darkling

2 of 2

adjective

1

: dark

2

: done or taking place in the dark

Synonyms

Adjective

• black
• caliginous
• dark
• darkened
• darkish
• darksome
• dim
• dimmed
• dusk
• dusky
• gloomy
• lightless
• murky
• obscure
• obscured
• pitch-black
• pitch-dark
• pitchy
• rayless
• somber
• sombre
• stygian
• tenebrific
• tenebrous
• unlit

Examples of darkling in a Sentence

Adjective

the darkling valleys of Transylvania, where tales of vampires have long existed

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Its 19th-century spire lit up like a matchstick against the darkling sky, its tip cracking and plunging through the ceiling. —Michael Kimmelman, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English derkelyng, from derk dark + -lyng -ling

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing darkling

• darkling beetle

Rhymes for darkling

• sparkling

Kids Definition

darkling

adjective

dark·​ling

ˈdär-kliŋ

1

: dark entry 1 sense 1a

a darkling plain

2

: done or taking place in the dark