dark
n. uncountablen. a place or time where there is no light. You often use this to talk about the night or a room with the lights turned off.
n. the absence of light in a particular place or during a specific time. Often used with the definite article to refer to the night or unlit spaces.
The children are afraid of the dark.
I had to feel my way to the light switch in the dark because the hallway windows were covered.
The photographer waited for the absolute dark of the rural night to capture the faint glow of the distant galaxy without interference from city lights.
From Middle English derk, from Old English deorc, from Proto-West Germanic derk (“dark”), of uncertain origin, but possibly from Proto-Indo-European dʰerg- (“dim, dull”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰer- (“dull, dirty”).
From Middle English derk, derke, dirke, dyrke, from the adjective (see above), or possibly from an unrecorded Old English dierce, diercu (“dark, darkness”).
From Middle English derken, from Old English deorcian, from Proto-West Germanic *derkōn.
Almost always used with the definite article 'the' when referring to the state of having no light.
- 01
dark cloud
A situation or future event that causes worry, problems or unhappiness, likened to such a cloud overhead in the sky.
- 02
dark horse
Someone who possesses talents or favorable characteristics that are not known or expected by others.
- 03
look on the dark side
To examine a situation, usually unfavorable, from a negative perspective; to be pessimistic or miserable.