darken
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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to become dark or darker.
-
to become obscure.
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to become less white or clear in color.
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to grow clouded, as with gloom or anger.
-
to become blind.
idioms
verb
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to make or become dark or darker
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to make or become gloomy, angry, or sad
his mood darkened
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(usually used with a negative) to visit someone
never darken my door again!
Other Word Forms
- darkener noun
- undarken verb (used with object)
- well-darkened adjective
Etymology
Origin of darken
First recorded in 1250–1300, darken is from the Middle English word derknen. See dark, -en 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The revival, directed by Cihan Sahin, who is also credited with the production and projection design, carves out pockets of visual poetry on the darkened stage.
From Los Angeles Times
Their mood tends to darken considerably, leading them to be more likely to sell their stock holdings and less likely to buy.
From MarketWatch
The year airships like boxkites began to darken the skies, though they hadn’t found our patch of sky yet.
From Literature
They walked all morning without stopping for food or water: crossing boggy valleys choked with chattering aspen; climbing hills darkened by ever-wakeful pines.
From Literature
We crossed the lobby and entered the darkened theater.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
