darkness
DAHK-nuhs
Darkness (noun) means the absence of light. Example: “She felt her way through the darkness looking for the light switch.”
noun
1
The absence of light.
"She felt her way through the darkness looking for the light switch."
"The power cut left the whole street in darkness."
"We sat in complete darkness until someone found the matches."
2
A gloomy or hopeless mood; misery or despair.
"After the diagnosis, he sank into a darkness he struggled to explain."
"The film explores the darkness at the heart of the character."
"A deep darkness settled over her in the months after she lost her job."
3
Wickedness, secrecy, or a lack of moral or spiritual understanding.
"The novel is often read as a battle between light and darkness."
"Many old tales describe a hero who brings hope into a world of darkness."
"The preacher warned his listeners to turn away from darkness and choose goodness."
How to use darkness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe state of there being no light — or, figuratively, a mood of gloom or a hidden, sinister quality.
Common pairings
plunged into darkness
the darkness of night
heart of darkness
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Word forms
- Plural
- darknesses
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She felt her way through the _____ looking for the light switch.
Etymology
From Old English deorcnes, built from dark plus the noun-forming suffix -ness.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for darkness
See all rhymes for darkness →Frequently asked questions
What does “darkness” mean?
The word “darkness” means the absence of light. In plain terms, the state of there being no light — or, figuratively, a mood of gloom or a hidden, sinister quality.
How do you pronounce “darkness”?
“Darkness” is pronounced DAHK-nuhs (/ˈdɑɹknəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “darkness” in a sentence?
Here is “darkness” used in a sentence: “She felt her way through the darkness looking for the light switch.”
What is another word for “darkness”?
Words with a similar meaning to “darkness” include dark.
What is the opposite of “darkness”?
The opposite of “darkness” — its antonyms — are lightness and light.
What part of speech is “darkness”?
“Darkness” is a noun.
Where does the word “darkness” come from?
The word “darkness” comes from Old English. From Old English deorcnes, built from dark plus the noun-forming suffix -ness.
Is “darkness” a common word?
“Darkness” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "darkness" and "dark"?
"Darkness" is a noun naming the state or quality of having no light, as in "the darkness of the cave." "Dark" is usually an adjective ("a dark room") or a noun for the same idea ("afraid of the dark"), so "darkness" tends to sound more formal or abstract.
When is "darkness" used figuratively?
Beyond the literal absence of light, "darkness" often describes a gloomy or hopeless mood, as in "a period of darkness in her life." It can also suggest evil, ignorance, or mystery in literary and religious contexts.
What are common collocations with "darkness"?
Typical phrases include "total darkness," "pitch darkness," "under cover of darkness," and "plunged into darkness." Figuratively, people speak of "the darkness of despair."
Is "darkness" a countable noun?
"Darkness" is normally uncountable, so it is used without "a" and has no plural, as in "surrounded by darkness." It refers to the general condition of having no light rather than to separate instances.
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