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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | deorc |
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dark1 S2 W1
comparative darker, superlative darkest
comparative darker, superlative darkest1 if it is dark, there is little or no light [≠ light]: 
The church was dark and quiet.the dark winter days
no light
The church was dark and quiet.the dark winter days2 quite close to black in colour [≠ light, pale]: There were dark clouds in the sky. men in dark suits a slightly darker colour
colour
There were dark clouds in the sky.men in dark suitsa slightly darker colour3 someone who is dark has hair, eyes, or skin that is brown or black in colour [≠ fair]: a tall, dark man John's dark skin and eyes
hair/eyes/skin
HBHa tall, dark manJohn's dark skin and eyes4 mysterious or secret : a dark secret
mysterious
a dark secret keep something dark British English (=keep something secret) Apparently, he has a son, but he's kept that very dark.
Apparently, he has a son, but he's kept that very dark.5 evil or threatening : There was a darker side to his character. a place where so many dark deeds had been committed the dark forces of the universe
evil
There was a darker side to his character.a place where so many dark deeds had been committedthe dark forces of the universe6 a dark time is unhappy or without hope : the dark days of the war Even in the darkest moments, I still had you, my love.
unhappy time
the dark days of the warEven in the darkest moments, I still had you, my love.7 if you have dark feelings or thoughts, you are very sad or worried : a dark depression her darkest fears
feelings/thoughts
a dark depressionher darkest fears8 dark humour deals with things that are bad or upsetting in a funny way [= black]: the dark humor common in difficult situations
humour
the dark humor common in difficult situations9 the parts of Africa etc about which we know very little
darkest Africa/South America etc
old-fashionedWORD FOCUS: colour WORD FOCUS: colour
a particular kind of colour: shade, hint, hue
words for describing dark colours: dark, deep, rich
words for describing light colours: light, pale, soft, pastel
words for describing bright colours: bright, brilliant, vivid, garish disapproving, gaudy disapproving
having a lot of colours: colourful, multicoloured British English/multicolored American English
➔ See also colour
WORD FOCUS: colour a particular kind of colour: shade, hint, hue
words for describing dark colours: dark, deep, rich
words for describing light colours: light, pale, soft, pastel
words for describing bright colours: bright, brilliant, vivid, garish disapproving, gaudy disapproving
having a lot of colours: colourful, multicoloured British English/multicolored American English
➔ See also colour
