adv
darkly
DAHK-lee
Darkly (adv) means In a way that suggests something sinister, ominous, or troubling. Example: “He hinted darkly that something terrible had happened.”
adv
1
In a way that suggests something sinister, ominous, or troubling.
"He hinted darkly that something terrible had happened."
2
With little light; dimly.
"The corridor was lit only darkly by a single bulb."
How to use darkly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn a gloomy, ominous, or dimly lit manner.
Common pairings
hint darkly
mutter darkly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- darklier, more darkly
- Superlative
- darkliest, most darkly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He hinted _____ that something terrible had happened.
Etymology
Comes from Middle English derkly, derkely, derkliche, derkeliche, equivalent to dark plus -ly. Compare Old English deorclīċe, a parallel formation.
Synonyms
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in darkness
Rhymes for darkly
See all rhymes for darkly →Frequently asked questions
What does “darkly” mean?
The word “darkly” means in a way that suggests something sinister, ominous, or troubling. In plain terms, in a gloomy, ominous, or dimly lit manner.
How do you pronounce “darkly”?
“Darkly” is pronounced DAHK-lee (/ˈdɑɹkli/ in IPA).
How do you use “darkly” in a sentence?
Here is “darkly” used in a sentence: “He hinted darkly that something terrible had happened.”
What part of speech is “darkly”?
“Darkly” is an adverb.
How many meanings does “darkly” have?
“Darkly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a way that suggests something sinister, ominous, or troubling.
