dark
Dark (adj) means having little or no light. Example: “The room was completely dark with the curtains drawn.”
How to Use Dark
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLacking light, deep in color, or troubling/sinister in tone or meaning.
"In the dark" as an idiom means "uninformed," not literally lacking light: "I was kept in the dark about the merger."
Word Forms
darker comparative, darked past tense, darks plural, Darks plural, darks singular, darkest superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The room was completely _____ with the curtains drawn.
Etymology
From Old English deorc, a very old Germanic word probably tied to a root meaning "dim" or "dull."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related Words
Rhymes for dark
See all rhymes for dark →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “dark” mean?
The word “dark” means having little or no light. In plain terms, lacking light, deep in color, or troubling/sinister in tone or meaning.
How do you pronounce “dark”?
“Dark” is pronounced dahk (/dɑɹk/ in IPA).
How do you use “dark” in a sentence?
Here is “dark” used in a sentence: “The room was completely dark with the curtains drawn.”
What is another word for “dark”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dark” include blear, caliginous, cimmerian, crepuscular, darkling and darksome.
What is the opposite of “dark”?
The opposite of “dark” — its antonyms — are bright, light, glowing, lit and luminous.
What part of speech is “dark”?
Depending on how it is used, “dark” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “dark” come from?
The word “dark” comes from Old English. From Old English deorc, a very old Germanic word probably tied to a root meaning "dim" or "dull.".
Is “dark” a common word?
“Dark” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between dark and dim?
Dim means faint or weak light, so you can still see, just not clearly. Dark means little or no light at all, so seeing becomes difficult or impossible. A dimly lit room has some glow, while a dark room has almost none. Dark is the stronger word, closer to a complete absence of light.
What is the difference between dark and black?
Dark describes a lack of light in a place or scene, as in a dark night. Black is a colour, the darkest there is, absorbing light rather than reflecting it. A black object can sit in a brightly lit room, and a dark room can contain objects of any colour.
What is the opposite of dark?
The main opposites are light and bright, both describing plenty of illumination. Other opposites include well-lit and, for colours, pale. A dark room becomes light when you open the curtains, and a dark shade of a colour becomes light or pale when white is added to it.