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

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

Look to Rainbow Swiss chard, multicolor lettuces, purple-leaf basil, dusky blue kales or cabbages, and variegated perennial thymes and sages. — Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2026

But fishers haven’t taken advantage of the invasive dusky spinefoot, whose population has grown significantly in Italian waters. — ABC News, 30 July 2026

Hassett’s tenacious acoustic guitar figure is stark and dusky like early Leonard Cohen, oozing low strings and a big oily bass. — Brian Howe, Pitchfork, 21 July 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