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

Today, the mood toward Uncle Sam in Berlin, and much of the world, has darkened.

From The Wall Street Journal

He pinched the bridge of his nose, and the wrinkles on his face compressed and deepened and darkened.

From Literature

A froth of steam and fog boils along the darkened platform at Euston Station.

From Literature

As locals watched a darkening sky, police patrolled streets empty of all but stray cats, while emergency services stood on standby on the edge of the red zone.

From Barron's

“I do. She reminds me of—” His face darkens.

From Literature

Related Words

• blacken
• dim
• eclipse
• obscure
• overshadow