adj
dusky
DUHS-kee
Dusky (adj) means Dimly lit, as things appear at dusk. Example: “The room had a dusky glow from the single lamp.”
adj
1
Dimly lit, as things appear at dusk.
"I like it when it is dusky, just before the street lights come on."
"The room had a dusky glow from the single lamp."
"A beech wood with silver firs in it rolled down the face of the hill, and the maze of leafless twigs and dusky spires cut sharp against the soft blueness of the evening sky."
— Harold Bindloss (1907)
2
Somewhat dark in shade or colour.
"The dusky rose was of a muted color, not clashing with any of the other colors."
"She wore a dusky pink dress that suited the evening light."
How to use dusky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDim, shadowy, or having a muted, darker shade of a colour.
When to use it
Older use of "dusky" to describe skin tone is now considered dated and best avoided.
Common pairings
dusky light
dusky pink
dusky room
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like dusky.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- duskies
- Comparative
- duskier
- Superlative
- duskiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The room had a _____ glow from the single lamp.
Etymology
From "dusk" plus the adjective ending "-y," describing something with the dim, shadowy quality of evening light.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dusky
See all rhymes for dusky →Frequently asked questions
What does “dusky” mean?
The word “dusky” means dimly lit, as things appear at dusk. In plain terms, dim, shadowy, or having a muted, darker shade of a colour.
How do you pronounce “dusky”?
“Dusky” is pronounced DUHS-kee (/ˈdʌs.ki/ in IPA).
How do you use “dusky” in a sentence?
Here is “dusky” used in a sentence: “The room had a dusky glow from the single lamp.”
What part of speech is “dusky”?
“Dusky” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “dusky” have?
“Dusky” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: dimly lit, as things appear at dusk.
