the dark
noun
1
: a state in which no light can be seen
She stumbled around in the dark until she finally found the light switch.
He's 12 years old and still afraid of the dark.
2
: a place where little or no light can be seen
The burglars hid in the dark between the two buildings.
He bought the kids special rings that glow in the dark.
3
: a state in which something is hidden or kept secret
Most of their deals were made in the dark.
4
: a state of not knowing about something
I'm in the dark about the agreement.
The public was kept in the dark about the meeting.
Examples of the dark in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And our best times at motels were spent swimming in the dark in the motel pool.
—
Anne Carson, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025
Their target: The site of Pulse nightclub, a gay-friendly dance venue where on June 12, 2016 a man came in the dark of night, burst into the crowded club in the hours before dawn and unleashed death and destruction.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
If the canine wanders around, night lights can reduce their confusion in the dark, and keeping them in a small room that is difficult to get lost in may also help.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
The look evoked elements of the dark glamour trend, which emphasizes dark tones and romantic design elements throughout.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the dark
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Anne Carson, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2025
Their target: The site of Pulse nightclub, a gay-friendly dance venue where on June 12, 2016 a man came in the dark of night, burst into the crowded club in the hours before dawn and unleashed death and destruction.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
If the canine wanders around, night lights can reduce their confusion in the dark, and keeping them in a small room that is difficult to get lost in may also help.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025
The look evoked elements of the dark glamour trend, which emphasizes dark tones and romantic design elements throughout.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the dark
Cite this Entry
“The dark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20dark. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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