# dark

/ˈdɑɹk/ (US) · /dˈɑːk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dark
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. without light

adjective · CEFR A1

having little or no light, making it difficult to see.

For teachers: characterised by a relative or absolute deficiency of visible light.

- The street was very dark because the power was out.
- The hikers found themselves on a dark trail after the sun dipped below the ridge faster than they had anticipated.

### 2. deep colour

adjective · CEFR A1

a colour that is closer to black than white; not pale.

For teachers: possessing a low value in terms of colour theory; highly saturated or deep in hue.

- She wore a dark blue suit to the job interview.
- The interior designer recommended dark green velvet for the curtains to create a sense of richness in the library.

### 3. sad or evil

adjective · CEFR B1

unhappy, scary, or related to bad things.

For teachers: suggestive of gloom, hopelessness, or moral wickedness.

- The movie was a dark comedy about a very serious subject.
- The novel explores the dark side of human nature through its depiction of greed and betrayal in a small town.

### 4. secret

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

hidden or kept secret from other people.

For teachers: characterised by secrecy or a lack of public knowledge.

- They kept their plans dark until the very last minute.
- The intelligence agency remained dark regarding the specifics of the operation, citing national security concerns.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'to keep someone dark' or 'to stay dark'.

### 5. absence of light

noun · CEFR A2

a place or time where there is no light.

For teachers: the state of being without light, or the period of nightfall.

- The children are afraid of the dark.
- After the campfire died down, they sat in the dark listening to the sounds of the forest.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.