darkness

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.

“Darkness” is pronounced DAHK-nuhs (/ˈdɑɹknəs/ in IPA).

Here is “darkness” used in a sentence: “She felt her way through the darkness looking for the light switch.”

Words with a similar meaning to “darkness” include dark.

The opposite of “darkness” — its antonyms — are lightness and light.

“Darkness” is a noun.

The word “darkness” comes from Old English. From Old English deorcnes, built from dark plus the noun-forming suffix -ness.

“Darkness” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

"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.

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.

Typical phrases include "total darkness," "pitch darkness," "under cover of darkness," and "plunged into darkness." Figuratively, people speak of "the darkness of despair."

"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.