dark

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dark" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a lack of light or illumination, to describe a colour or shades of colour, or to describe an emotion, event, or situation (such as something being mysterious or sinister). For example: "The dark night sky was filled with stars."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the wunderkind, who runs the Donmar Warehouse theatre in London, was anything but blasé last night about the success of his dark satire on suburbia.

The Guardian - Film

There were dark nights for Rudd after his defenestration but it remained a constant comfort that he had never been rejected by the Australian people.

The Guardian

As part of the UK's largest after-hours cultural festival, more than 500 museums, galleries and heritage sites across the country are turning nocturnal this weekend, inviting the public to experience their collections and history after dark.

The Guardian

How when his glider hit the ground in occupied France at 16 minutes past midnight on 6 June, shaking up the men inside, everything went dark.

The Guardian

In all these cases, the questions stay in the shadows, in the dark.

The Guardian

His production of Ben Jonson's The Devil Is an Ass applied the knife to yards of text, and his West Yorkshire Playhouse production of the children's classic Peter Pan was so dark and grim that one set of parents threatened to sue on the grounds that their child had been traumatised.

The Guardian

The show hangs on its carefully chosen and often filigreed dialogue, and it is that which leads you into the dark corners.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is also reflective of a dark cultural truth where, to a lot of schoolchildren, particularly in America, the high school has become a genuinely dangerous place to be.

The Guardian - Film

The reticent producer cut his teeth running similarly toned, small, dark basement events in Bristol, so he'll be right at home with City Bass's back-to-basics ethos, and his focused, skilful mixing of rarely heard 90s NY house'n'garage with prime UK modernism will put everyone in the right headspace to get down.

The Guardian - Music

Related: Salutin' Putin: our lives inside a Russian troll house First Look Media, which published the leaks, described it as the UK spy agency's weapon in mastering the dark arts of the internet, a "hacker's buffet for wreaking online havoc".

The Guardian

Climbing out to one of the lookout points for a surf check we look through a small gap in the beachside trees to a view revealing the dark bumps of the swell.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dark" to describe a time period, consider the connotations carefully; ensure it accurately reflects a lack of progress or enlightenment.

Common error

Avoid using "dark" too casually to describe situations that are merely difficult or challenging. Reserve it for scenarios with genuinely negative, ominous, or morally questionable elements.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dark" is as an adjective, describing a noun's attribute related to the absence of light or other qualities like mood or complexion. As confirmed by Ludwig, it can also function as a noun, referring to the absence of light itself.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dark" functions primarily as an adjective to describe a lack of light, but it can also extend to metaphorical contexts indicating negativity, mystery, or obscurity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It's crucial to consider the specific context to ensure accurate and impactful communication, choosing between literal descriptions of darkness or metaphorical expressions. The frequency of use in the News & Media category confirms its versatility and relevance in contemporary writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unlit

Directly refers to the absence of lighting, similar to "dark" but more literal.

black

A color that absorbs all light, representing complete "dark" and often used symbolically for negative concepts.

dim

Refers to a subdued or low level of light, similar to "dark" but often implying a softer absence of light.

shadowy

Implies being filled with shadows or partially hidden, closely related to "dark" in terms of reduced illumination.

gloomy

Describes a state of low light and subdued mood, similar to "dark" in conveying a sense of dreariness.

sinister

Suggests something evil or ominous, similar to "dark" when describing a negative or foreboding atmosphere.

obscure

Implies something hidden or not easily seen, aligning with "dark" in terms of being unclear or concealed.

murky

Suggests a cloudy or unclear darkness, often associated with water or air.

somber

Implies a serious and gloomy mood, similar to "dark" in conveying a negative emotional tone.

dreary

Describes something dull, bleak, and depressing, aligning with "dark" in conveying a sense of negativity.

FAQs

How can I use "dark" in a sentence?

You can use "dark" to describe a lack of light, as in "The room was too dark to see", or metaphorically, as in "These are dark times".

What can I say instead of "dark"?

Alternatives to "dark" include "dim", "shadowy", or "gloomy", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Which is correct, "dark" or "darken"?

"Dark" is an adjective or noun, while "darken" is a verb. Use "dark" to describe something lacking light, and "darken" to describe the act of making something darker.

What's the difference between "dark" and "obscure"?

"Dark" primarily refers to a lack of light, while "obscure" means hidden or not well-known. Although related, "dark" focuses on illumination and "obscure" on knowledge or visibility.