darken

American  

[dahr-kuhn] / ˈdɑr kən /

verb (used with object)

1. to make dark or darker.

2. to make obscure.

3. to make less white or clear in color.

4. to make gloomy; sadden.

   He darkened the festivities by his presence.

   Synonyms:

   deject , blacken , dispirit , depress

5. to make blind.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become dark or darker.

2. to become obscure.

3. to become less white or clear in color.

4. to grow clouded, as with gloom or anger.

5. to become blind.

idioms

1. darken someone's door,  to come to visit; make an appearance.

   Never darken my door again!

darken British  

/ ˈdɑːkən /

verb

1. to make or become dark or darker

2. to make or become gloomy, angry, or sad

   his mood darkened

3. (usually used with a negative) to visit someone

   never darken my door again!

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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

Their mood darkened over the summer as Europe was left on the sidelines as the U.S. and China sought to reset the rules of global trade.

From The Wall Street Journal

He refers to his space as a “mouse nest,” a darkened corner he has created by draping curtains around his bunk bed.

From MarketWatch

It scrambled senior officials to talks in Geneva and all of Sunday we saw delegates from the US and Ukraine shuttling back and forth between the two main venues in black limousines with darkened windows.

From BBC

At MOCA, about 300 Angelenos braved an atmospheric river to sit in the darkened former police car warehouse bathed in red light.

From Los Angeles Times

But his outlook darkened: He threatened to stab a child at camp and would laugh when he got into trouble.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blacken
• dim
• eclipse
• obscure
• overshadow