# darker

/ˈdɑɹkɝ/ (US) · /dˈɑːkɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/darker
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. less light

adjective · CEFR A2

having less light than something else.

For teachers: characterised by a greater absence of light or illumination compared to another area or time.

- The hallway became darker as the sun went down and the lights stayed off.
- The forest grew significantly darker as the canopy thickened, making it difficult for the hikers to distinguish the trail from the surrounding undergrowth.

### 2. deeper colour

adjective · CEFR A2

closer to black or having a deeper shade of a colour.

For teachers: possessing a deeper or more saturated hue that approaches black in the colour spectrum.

- I prefer the darker blue paint for the bedroom walls.
- The artist applied a darker shade of crimson to the shadows of the velvet drapes to create a sense of three-dimensional depth.

### 3. serious or sad

adjective · CEFR B1

more serious, sad, or frightening than before.

For teachers: reflecting a more somber, pessimistic, or sinister quality in tone or subject matter.

- The movie took a darker turn when the main character lost his job.
- Critics noted that the sequel explored much darker themes of betrayal and loss compared to the relatively lighthearted original film.

## Examples

- This blue paint is darker than the one we used before.
- As the sun began to set, the shadows in the forest grew much darker and longer.
- The artist chose a darker palette for the foreground to create a sense of depth and contrast against the pale morning sky.

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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.