Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

dark en · ADJ · etymology 1

Pronunciation

/dɑːk/ (Received-Pronunciation)
därk (General-American)
/dɑɹk/ (General-American)
därk (Received-Pronunciation)
(General-American) audio

Etymology

From Middle English derk, from Old English deorc, from Proto-West Germanic *derk (“dark”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Indo-European *dʰerg- (“dim, dull”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰer- (“dull, dirty”).

Meanings

Having an absolute or (more often) relative lack of light.
- They burned the old gun that used to stand in the dark corner up in the garret, close to the stuffed fox that always grinned so fiercely. Perhaps the reason why he seemed in such a ghastly rage was that he did not come by his death fairly. And why else was he put away up there out of sight?—and so magnificent a brush as he had too. 1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter 1, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC:
- [Rural solar plant] schemes are of little help to industry or other heavy users of electricity. Nor is solar power yet as cheap as the grid. For all that, the rapid arrival of electric light to Indian villages is long overdue. When the national grid suffers its next huge outage, as it did in July 2012 when hundreds of millions were left in the dark, look for specks of light in the villages. 2013 July 20, “Out of the gloom”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845:
- The room was too dark for reading.
- It was a dark and stormy night, the rain fell in torrents—except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets […] 1830, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], chapter I, in Paul Clifford. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC, page 1:
(of a source of light) Having an absolute or (more often) relative lack of light. ▸ Extinguished.
- Dark signals should be treated as all-way stop signs.
Having an absolute or (more often) relative lack of light. ▸ Deprived of sight; blind.
- He was, I think, at this time quite dark, and so had been for some years. 1661 April 7 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 29 March 1661]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, →OCLC:
Transmitting, reflecting, or receiving inadequate light to render timely discernment or comprehension
(of colour) Dull or deeper in hue; not bright or light.
- If I close my eyes I can see Marie today as I saw her then. Round, rosy face, snub nose, dark hair piled up in a chignon. 1977, Agatha Christie, chapter 2, in An Autobiography, part II, London: Collins, →ISBN:
- My sister’s hair is darker than mine.
- Her skin grew dark with a suntan.
- Serene, smiling, enigmatic, she faced him with no fear whatever showing in her dark eyes. The clear light of the bright autumn morning had no terrors for youth and health like hers. 1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
Ambiguously or unclearly expressed.
- the dark problems of existence 1881, John Shairp, Aspects of Poetry:
- It is the remark of an ingenious writer, should a barbarous Indian, who had never seen a palace or a ship, view their separate and disjointed parts, and observe the pillars, doors, windows, cornices and turrets of the one, or the prow and stern, the ribs and masts, the ropes and shrouds, the sails and tackle of the other, he would be able to form but a very lame and dark idea of either of those excellent and useful inventions. 1741, I[saac] Watts, The Improvement of the Mind: Or, A Supplement to the Art of Logick: […], London: […] James Brackstone, […], →OCLC:
- What may seem dark at the first, will afterward be found more plain. [1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page):
- What's your dark meaning, mouse, of this light word? c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Loues Labour’s Lost”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
- The Ways of Heav’n are dark and intricate, Puzzled in Mazes, and perplext with Errors; Our Underſtanding traces ’em in vain, Loſt and bewilder’d in the fruitleſs Search; […] 1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act I, scene i, page 2:
Marked by or conducted with secrecy.
- dark money
- “Clarence, can you lend me three thousand pounds on good security and keep it dark from Connie?” 1923, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter I, in Leave It to Psmith:
- The dark side of the moon.
- Meantime we shall express our darker purpose c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
(of race horses) Marked by or conducted with secrecy. ▸ Having racing capability not widely known.
- The first favourite was never heard of, the second favourite was never seen after the distance post, all the ten-to-oners were in the rear, and a dark horse, which had never been thought of, and which the careless [Duke of] St. James had never even observed in the list, rushed past the grand stand in sweeping triumph. 1831, [Benjamin Disraeli], chapter V, in The Young Duke. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, […], →OCLC, book II, page 163:
Without moral or spiritual light; sinister, malevolent, malign.
- a dark villain
- a dark deed
- Left him at large to his own dark designs. 1667, John Milton, “Book I”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
Conducive to hopelessness; depressing or bleak.
- A deep melancholy took possession of him, and gave a dark tinge to all his views of human nature. 1856 December, [Thomas Babington] Macaulay, “Samuel Johnson”, in T[homas] F[lower] E[llis], editor, The Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay, new edition, London: Longman, Green, Reader, & Dyer, published 1871, →OCLC:
- The Great Depression was a dark time.
- The film was a dark psychological thriller.
- There is, in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity. 1819 June 23 – 1820 September 13, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], “(please specify the title)”, in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., New York, N.Y.: […] C[ornelius] S. Van Winkle, […], →OCLC:
(of a time period) Lacking progress in science or the arts.
- The tenth century used to be reckoned by mediaeval historians as the darkest part of this intellectual night. 1837–1839, Henry Hallam, Introduction to the Literature of Europe, in the Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries, volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), London: John Murray, […], →OCLC:
- The dark ages began after the collapse of the Roman Empire.
- The Greek Dark Ages began after the Bronze Age collapse.
- The age wherein he lived was dark, but he Could not want light who taught the world to see. 1668, John Denham, The Progress of Learning:
Extremely sad, depressing, or somber, typically due to, or marked by, a tragic or undesirable event.
- September 11, 2001, the day when four terrorist attacks destroyed the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, is often referred to as America’s dark day.
With emphasis placed on the unpleasant and macabre aspects of life; said of a work of fiction, a work of nonfiction presented in narrative form, or a portion of either.
- This show is full of dark humor.
- The ending of this book is rather dark.
(of a television station) Off the air; not transmitting.

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
darker	Degree=Cmp		lexicographic
darkest	Degree=Sup		lexicographic

Translations (383)

grc σκοτεινός (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sa श्याम (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · hu sötét (hidden, secret) · nl duister (hidden, secret) · es fusco (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · az tünd (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · mi uriuri (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · tr karanlık (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · hy մութ (hidden, secret) · az qara (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · nrf sombre (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · is dökkur (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · hy մուգ (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · mn харангуй (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · es fosco (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · sv mörk (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · war maitum (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · da hemmelighedsfuld (hidden, secret) · hi छिपा हुवा (hidden, secret) · bn অন্ধকার (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ro murg (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sh mráčan (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · fi pimeä (hidden, secret) · it oscuro (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · pl ciemny (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sv mörk (hidden, secret) · ifk ngitit (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sq errët (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · mi uri (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · vi mờ ám (hidden, secret) · nl geheim (hidden, secret) · oc escur (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · mi pokere (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · kxd galap (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sk temný (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · lv tumšs (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · tk garaňky (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · vec scùro (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · fy donker (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · kk қараңғы (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · it oscuro (hidden, secret) · lb däischter (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · bg мрачен (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · haw pōʻele (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · mn харанхуй (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · lad aleskuro (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ru мра́чный (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · krc къарангы (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · la creper (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · he אפל (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · fi synkkä (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · gil ro (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · gl fosco (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · fi tumma (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · ang mirce (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ja 濃い (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · kix ānyāukhèm (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · cs temný (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · yi פֿינצטער (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · rm s-chür (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · non ámr (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · id gelap (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · bg мра́чен (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · ar دَاكِن (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · da dunkel (hidden, secret) · mi uriuri (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · pt obscuro (hidden, secret) · fi pimeä (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · fy tsjuster (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · got 𐍂𐌹𐌵𐌹𐌶𐌴𐌹𐌽𐍃 (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ht nwa (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · xld 𐤪𐤠𐤭𐤦𐤥𐤣𐤠 (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · gl fusco (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · la fuscus (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · mk темен (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · jv peteng (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · kmr tarî (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · fo dimmur (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · et pime (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · nb mørk (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · txb orkmo (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ga dorcha (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · nl duister (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sv mörk (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · hu sötét (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · fy donker (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · zh 黑暗 (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · eu ilun (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · oj dibiki- (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ru тёмный (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ota قویو (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · ko 어둡다 (hidden, secret) · rm stgeir (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · cs temný (hidden, secret) · ca fosc (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · fr obscur (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · kmr nepenî (hidden, secret) · ko 어둡다 (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · dsb śamny (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · zh 黑暗 (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · ar غَامِق (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · it fosco (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · te గాఢాంధకారము (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · uz qorongʻu (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · eu ilun (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sq errësire (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · pdt dunkel (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · cs tmavý (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · el σκοτεινός (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · kim ӄараӈғы (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ca obscur (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · bg тъ́мен (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · io tenebroza (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · lo ມືດ (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · gl escuro (hidden, secret) · da mørk (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · bn আঁধার (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · tr koyu (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · or ଅନ୍ଧାର (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · hi श्यामल (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ms gelap (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · de schwarz (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · io obskura (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · pt escuro (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ceb dulom (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · io tenebroza (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · fr sombre (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · hi गुप्त (hidden, secret) · ug قاراڭغۇ (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · pt maligno (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · gu અંધારું (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ast escuru (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · nn døkk (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · os тар (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sh mráčan (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ar غَامِق (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · kmr tarî (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · fo myrkur (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · gd dorcha (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ka შავბნელი (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · kdr karanhy (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · tg торик (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · es oscuro (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ckb تاریک (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · ta இருள் (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · fa تار (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ty ʻereʻere (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · es hosco (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · ur اندھیرا (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · fr obscur (hidden, secret) · de dunkel (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · da mørk (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · knb manggikbot (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · xdq къуш (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · he חָשׁוּךְ (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · haw pōʻeleʻele (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · fa پنهان (hidden, secret) · sh мра́чан (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · mi parauri (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · af donker (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ba ҡараңғы (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · tt караңгы (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ce ӏаьржа (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · kaw hirĕng (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · mi waitutu (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · es oscuro (hidden, secret) · sh мра́чан (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · mi kene (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · hy մութ (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · he אָפֵל (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sl temen (hidden, secret) · ml അന്ധകാരം (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ar غامج (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · lad eskuro (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sh tajànstven (hidden, secret) · ka ბნელი (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · zza tarı (hidden, secret) · cs temný (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · bcl madiklom (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · zh 暗 (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · my နက် (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · kaw pĕtĕng (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · nds duster (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · hy մութ (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · es oscuro (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · it tetro (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · nds düster (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · de dunkel (hidden, secret) · kix ānyāukhèm (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · nn mørk (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · nn mørk (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · ccc chpolyaye (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · haw ʻeleʻele (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ja 腹黒い (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · jv peteng (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ban peteng (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · grc ὀρφναῖος (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ltg tymss (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · mi manauri (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · haw uliuli (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ar دَاكِن (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · eo malhela (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · nb mørk (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · zza tarı (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · pam madalumdum (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · non ámr (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · fr foncé (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · fi paha (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · xmf ურწკუმი (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ca fosc (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · bg тъ́мен (hidden, secret) · uk те́мний (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · lv tumšs (hidden, secret) · nn mørk (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · is dimmur (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ka წყვდიადი (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · mi wheuri (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ms kelam (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ms tua (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · mi mōkinokino (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · kmr tarî (hidden, secret) · pt escuro (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · ka მუქი (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · mi keretewha (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · sk tmavý (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · dlg караӈа (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · th มืด (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · mr गुप्त (hidden, secret) · he כהה (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · nl donker (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ru угрю́мый (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · mr गडद (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · ja 邪悪 (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · ka უკუნი (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · se seavdnjat (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ja 隠密の (hidden, secret) · gun pytũ (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sh támān (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · gl escuro (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · lb donkel (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · et tume (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · nl donker (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · non myrkr (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ro întunecat (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ro închis (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · mi ruki (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · uum харанғы (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ca sinistre (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · pt sinistro (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · syl ꠀꠘ꠆ꠗꠣꠁꠞ (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sq terr (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sv mörk (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · zh 黲 /黪 (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · as আন্ধাৰ (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · br teñval (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · mr लपलेले (hidden, secret) · sh mráčan (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · lzh 黲 (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · kmr tarî (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · mr अंधारमय (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · fa پوشیده (hidden, secret) · ja 暗い (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ca maligne (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · de finster (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · hi श्यामल (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · kmr reş (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · ckb تاریک (hidden, secret) · mi pōkerekere (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · kw tewl (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sh támān (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · koi пемыд (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ky караңгы (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · nmn dtʻkxʻái (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · yue 隱秘 /隐秘 (hidden, secret) · war masirum (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · grc περκνός (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · ang mirce (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · sco mirk (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · alt караҥуй (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · be цёмны (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · lmo scur (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ru тёмный (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · yue 黑暗 (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · te చీకటి (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · kw tewal (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ckb تاریک (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · kpv пемыд (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · no mørk (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · war dulum (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · srn dungru (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · az tutqun (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · te మర్మము (hidden, secret) · da skummel (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · lt tamsus (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · hy խավար (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · kxd patang (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · txb orkamo (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · tyv караңгы (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · lv tumšs (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sl temen (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · oc fosc (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ilo nasipnget (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · io obskura (hidden, secret) · sh та́ма̄н (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · yi טונקל (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · nb mørk (hidden, secret) · la obscūrus (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · fa تیره (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · uk те́мний (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · fo døkkur (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · mi uri (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · uz qorongʻi (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · alt караҥу (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sah хараҥа (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · yai тора (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · io obskura (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · udm пеймыт (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · vi tối (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · yue 黑 (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · zza çığ (diq) (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · to po'uli (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · it oscuro (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · eo malluma (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · da mørk (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · ang þīestre (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · tl madilim (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · fa نهان (hidden, secret) · hi अंधेरा (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · zh 昏暗 (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ar مُظْلِم (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · nb mørk (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · cu тьмьнъ (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · cy tywyll (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · qu laqha (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · el σκούρος (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · nog каранъа (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ja 暗い (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · dlm sčor (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · es oscuro (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · fr sombre (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ia obscur (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ms gelap (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · id gelap (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · io obskura (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · yue 暗 (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · yue 邪惡 /邪恶 (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · gd dorcha (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · haw uli (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · cs tmavý (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sh та́ма̄н (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · de dunkel (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · ca obscur (hidden, secret) · fa تاریک (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ca obscur (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sco mirk (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · he קודר (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · pl mroczny (hidden, secret) · sh таја̀нствен (hidden, secret) · ja 秘密の (hidden, secret) · zh 邪惡 /邪恶 (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal) · rm stgir (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · de düster (hidden, secret) · tr karanlık (hidden, secret) · zh 隱秘 /隐秘 (hidden, secret) · hil dulum (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ang deorc (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · bg тъ́мен (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · nn mørk (hidden, secret) · as এন্ধাৰ (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · it buio (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · kxd galap (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · ty ʻārehurehu (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · mi whēuriuri (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · my မည်း (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · sh мра́чан (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · ml ഇരുട്ട് (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · kum къарангы (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · ko 어둡다 (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · az qaranlıq (having an absolute or relative lack of light) · se čoahkkat (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · it scuro (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · yue 黑暗 (not bright or light, deeper in hue — see also blackish, black) · ko 어둡다 (without moral or spiritual light — see also black, tenebrous, sinister, lugubrious, gloomy, funereal)

dark en · NOUN · etymology 2

Pronunciation

/dɑːk/ (Received-Pronunciation)
därk (General-American)
/dɑɹk/ (General-American)
därk (Received-Pronunciation)
(General-American) audio

Etymology

From Middle English derk, derke, dirke, dyrke, from the adjective (see above), or possibly from an unrecorded Old English *dierce, *diercu (“dark, darkness”).

Meanings

(uncountable, usually) A complete or (more often) partial absence of light.
- Dark surrounds us completely.
- [Rural solar plant] schemes are of little help to industry or other heavy users of electricity. Nor is solar power yet as cheap as the grid. For all that, the rapid arrival of electric light to Indian villages is long overdue. When the national grid suffers its next huge outage, as it did in July 2012 when hundreds of millions were left in the dark, look for specks of light in the villages. 2013 July 20, “Out of the gloom”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845:
- Here stood he in the dark, his sharp sword out. c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:
- The face which emerged was not reassuring. It was blunt and grey, the nose springing thick and flat from high on the frontal bone of the forehead, whilst his eyes were narrow slits of dark in a tight bandage of tissue.[…]. 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 17, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
(uncountable, usually) Ignorance.
- We kept him in the dark.
- Look, what you do, you do it still i' th' dark. c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Loues Labour’s Lost”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
- Till we perceive it by our own understandings, we are as much in the dark, and as void of knowledge, as before. a. 1705, John Locke, “Of the Conduct of the Understanding”, in Posthumous Works of Mr. John Locke: […], London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], published 1706, →OCLC:
- The lawyer was left in the dark as to why the jury was dismissed.
(uncountable, usually) Nightfall.
- It was after dark before we got to playing baseball.
(uncountable, usually) A dark shade or dark passage in a painting, engraving, etc.
- The lights may serve for a repose to the darks, and the darks to the lights. 1695, C[harles] A[lphonse] du Fresnoy, translated by John Dryden, De Arte Graphica. The Art of Painting, […], London: […] J[ohn] Heptinstall for W. Rogers, […], →OCLC:

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
darks	Number=Plur		lexicographic

Deriveds

black dark · before dark · in the dark · dusky dark · at dark · all cats are gray in the dark · oh dark thirty · after dark · glow-in-the-dark · murder in the dark · leap in the dark · shot in the dark · whistle in the dark

Synonyms

darkness (absence of light) · crepusculum (nightfall) · mirkning · knowledgelessness (ignorance) · unawareness (ignorance) · cluelessness (ignorance) · evenfall

Translations (173)

sh mrak (a complete or partial absence of light) · da mørke (nightfall) · nn mørke (nightfall) · sh mrak (nightfall) · zh 黑 (a complete or partial absence of light) · es anochecer (nightfall) · gd dorchadas (a complete or partial absence of light) · nn uvisse (ignorance) · bg невидение (ignorance) · nb mørke (nightfall) · sc scuru (a complete or partial absence of light) · es crepúsculo (nightfall) · yi פֿינסטערניש (a complete or partial absence of light) · sh polumrak (a complete or partial absence of light) · ko 무식 (ignorance) · pt escuridão (a complete or partial absence of light) · mn харанхуй (a complete or partial absence of light) · fi tietämättömyys (ignorance) · nn mørke (a complete or partial absence of light) · az cəhalət (ignorance) · cs temnota (a complete or partial absence of light) · bg тъмнина (a complete or partial absence of light) · bg свечеряване (nightfall) · rup ntunearic (a complete or partial absence of light) · got 𐍂𐌹𐌵𐌹𐍃 (a complete or partial absence of light) · bg мрак (a complete or partial absence of light) · sco mirk (a complete or partial absence of light) · zza tarı (a complete or partial absence of light) · vi (sự) ngu muội (ignorance) · lv tumsa (a complete or partial absence of light) · vi (sự) ngu dốt (ignorance) · pt ignorância (ignorance) · hy մթություն (ignorance) · el σούρουπο (nightfall) · sl nevednost (ignorance) · kmr tarîtî (nightfall) · sh tamnoća (a complete or partial absence of light) · sh tamnina (a complete or partial absence of light) · az cahillik (ignorance) · it oscurità (ignorance) · mk темница (nightfall) · ko 어둠 (a complete or partial absence of light) · rup ãntunearic (a complete or partial absence of light) · ru темнота́ (nightfall) · hu sötétség (a complete or partial absence of light) · eo mallumo (a complete or partial absence of light) · ml അറിവില്ലായ്മ (ignorance) · eo malhelo (dark shade or dark passage) · nn mørker (a complete or partial absence of light) · hy մութ (nightfall) · cs tma (nightfall) · nl onwetendheid (ignorance) · hu sötétedés (nightfall) · ro întuneric (a complete or partial absence of light) · syl ꠀꠘ꠆ꠗꠣꠁꠞ (a complete or partial absence of light) · sq darka (nightfall) · fi pimeys (a complete or partial absence of light) · vi (sự) dốt nát (ignorance) · fa تاریکی (a complete or partial absence of light) · la annoctatio (nightfall) · pt escuro (a complete or partial absence of light) · da mørke (a complete or partial absence of light) · nl ongewisse (ignorance) · mk мрак (nightfall) · cs tma (a complete or partial absence of light) · fa تم (a complete or partial absence of light) · tr karanlık (a complete or partial absence of light) · sh tmina (a complete or partial absence of light) · sh tama (a complete or partial absence of light) · vi đêm (nightfall) · la obscuritas (ignorance) · it oscurità (a complete or partial absence of light) · sv mörker (a complete or partial absence of light) · hi अंधेरा (a complete or partial absence of light) · sq terr (a complete or partial absence of light) · nb uvitenhet (ignorance) · lez мичӏ (a complete or partial absence of light) · kmr cahilî (ignorance) · sl tema (a complete or partial absence of light) · ru темнота́ (a complete or partial absence of light) · fr obscurité (a complete or partial absence of light) · de Dunkel (a complete or partial absence of light) · ml അജ്ഞത (ignorance) · sh mrklina (nightfall) · nl donker (a complete or partial absence of light) · sah хараҥа (a complete or partial absence of light) · nb skumring (nightfall) · es oscuridad (ignorance) · se seavdnjat (a complete or partial absence of light) · sh tamnina (nightfall) · ckb تاریک (a complete or partial absence of light) · ga dorchacht (a complete or partial absence of light) · kmr tarî (a complete or partial absence of light) · fi pimeä (a complete or partial absence of light) · kmr tarîtî (a complete or partial absence of light) · hy խավար (a complete or partial absence of light) · sco gloamin (nightfall) · kmr nezanî (ignorance) · lt tamsa (a complete or partial absence of light) · wmw kisi (a complete or partial absence of light) · he חושך (a complete or partial absence of light) · sh táma (ignorance) · nn skumring (nightfall) · ca obscuritat (a complete or partial absence of light) · he חשך (a complete or partial absence of light) · pl zmrok (nightfall) · it tramonto (nightfall) · ca foscor (a complete or partial absence of light) · sh tama (nightfall) · fr noir (a complete or partial absence of light) · ru тьма (a complete or partial absence of light) · gld пакчи (a complete or partial absence of light) · ang þīestru (a complete or partial absence of light) · mr काळोख (a complete or partial absence of light) · vi bóng tối (a complete or partial absence of light) · nl het vallen van de avond (nightfall) · nn mørker (nightfall) · it tenebra (a complete or partial absence of light) · se seavdnjadas (a complete or partial absence of light) · ja 闇 (a complete or partial absence of light) · mk темница (a complete or partial absence of light) · da uvidenhed (ignorance) · ko 해질녘 (nightfall) · sq err (a complete or partial absence of light) · bg незнание (ignorance) · da skumring (nightfall) · zh 黑暗 (a complete or partial absence of light) · az nadanlıq (ignorance) · as আন্ধাৰ (a complete or partial absence of light) · ja 暗闇 (a complete or partial absence of light) · hy մթություն (a complete or partial absence of light) · sh mrȃk (ignorance) · hu tudatlanság (ignorance) · de Dunkelwerden (nightfall) · br teñvalded (a complete or partial absence of light) · es oscuridad (a complete or partial absence of light) · br teñvalijenn (ignorance) · sco mirk (nightfall) · fr tombée de la nuit (nightfall) · zza cahiliye (ignorance) · el σκοτάδι (a complete or partial absence of light) · pl ciemność (a complete or partial absence of light) · az zülmət (a complete or partial absence of light) · sh tamnoća (nightfall) · nl nachtval (nightfall) · fi pimeys (nightfall) · ja 暗黒 (a complete or partial absence of light) · pt anoitecer (nightfall) · mk темнина (a complete or partial absence of light) · war sirum (a complete or partial absence of light) · pl mroki (ignorance) · it tenebra (nightfall) · zh 黑暗 (ignorance) · cs temnota (ignorance) · ru неве́дение (ignorance) · zh 黃昏 /黄昏 (nightfall) · ru мрак (a complete or partial absence of light) · nb mørke (a complete or partial absence of light) · no mørke (a complete or partial absence of light) · sl mrak (nightfall) · sc iscuru (a complete or partial absence of light) · la obscuritas (a complete or partial absence of light) · ko 암흑 (a complete or partial absence of light) · az qaranlıq (a complete or partial absence of light) · as এন্ধাৰ (a complete or partial absence of light) · de Dunkelheit (a complete or partial absence of light) · de Dunkel (ignorance) · mr अंधार (a complete or partial absence of light) · mr अंधकार (a complete or partial absence of light) · sq xuk (a complete or partial absence of light) · pt cair da noite (nightfall) · sl tema (nightfall) · az avamlıq (ignorance)

dark en · VERB · etymology 3

Pronunciation

/dɑːk/ (Received-Pronunciation)
därk (General-American)
/dɑɹk/ (General-American)
därk (Received-Pronunciation)
(General-American) audio

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dʰerg- Proto-Indo-European *dʰerg-o-s Proto-Germanic *derkaz? Proto-West Germanic *derk Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ti Proto-Germanic *-ōną Proto-West Germanic *-ōn Proto-West Germanic *derkōn Old English deorcian Middle English derken English dark Inherited from Middle English derken, from Old English deorcian, from Proto-West Germanic *derkōn, from *derk (“dirty, dark”) + *-ōn.

Meanings

(intransitive) To grow or become dark, darken.
(intransitive) To remain in the dark, lurk, lie hidden or concealed.
- To dark is still used in Swaledale (Yorkshire) in the sense of to lie hid, as, 'Te rattens [rats] mun ha bin darkin whel nu [till now]; we hannot heerd tem tis last fortnith'. 1873, Richard Morris, Walter William Skeat, “Glossarial Index”, in Specimens of Early English, volumes II: From Robert of Gloucester to Gower, A.D. 1298—A.D. 1393, Oxford: Clarendon Press, page 490:
(transitive) To make dark, darken; to obscure.

Forms

Spelling	Features	Source
darked	Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part	lexicographic
darked	Tense=Past	lexicographic
darks	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres	lexicographic
darking	Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part	lexicographic

black · shadow

Dictionary

dark en · ADJ · etymology 1

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Antonyms

Deriveds

Hyponyms

Relateds

Synonyms

Translations (383)

dark en · NOUN · etymology 2

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Deriveds

Synonyms

Translations (173)

dark en · VERB · etymology 3

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Relateds