dusky

adjective

ˈdə-skē 

duskier; duskiest

1

: somewhat dark in color

specifically : having dark skin

2

: marked by slight or deficient light : shadowy

duskily

ˈdə-skə-lē 

adverb

duskiness

ˈdə-skē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of dusky

• darkened
• dark
• murky
• black

Examples of dusky in a Sentence

in the dusky depths of the dungeon

Recent Examples on the Web

Her humdrum life gives way to beach bonfires at sunset (lensed by Tudor Vladimir Panduru and Fabian Gamper in stunning dusky blues and pinks) and skinny-dipping in the river. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

Species like white sharks, dusky sharks and sand tiger sharks are known to hunt in shallow water near shore. — Heather McCarron, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

As the sun dips behind the canyon walls, the desert cools down rapidly, creating another window to head back out for a dusky hike. — Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026

The leaf canopy was so dense that at times only a half-light, a sort of dusky murk, penetrated to the forest floor where the hounds ran. — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for dusky

• husky
• muskie
• musky

Kids Definition

dusky

adjective

ˈdəs-kē 

duskier; duskiest

1

: somewhat dark in color

2

: somewhat dark : dim

a dusky room

duskily

-kə-lē 

adverb

duskiness

-kē-nəs 

noun