darken

[ dahr-kuhn ]

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.

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.

darken

/ ˈdɑːkən /

verb

1. to make or become dark or darker
2. to make or become gloomy, angry, or sad

   his mood darkened

3. darken someone's door
   usually used with a negative to visit someone

   never darken my door again!

Derived Forms

• ˈdarkener, noun

Other Words From

• darken·er noun
• un·darken verb (used with object)
• well-darkened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of darken¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, darken is from the Middle English word derknen. See dark, -en ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

   Never darken my door again!

Example Sentences

At sunset that day, the refinery’s rooftop will darken, but only for four months.

From Washington Post

The on-court clouds that have darkened Toronto’s early season could be clearing.

From FiveThirtyEight

The bots flag “restatement” as a negative word, which darkens their outlook on a company’s prospects.

From Quartz

The racism he faced in the run up to the record might have darkened Aaron’s joy, but, for him, bitterness never lingered.

From Time

That phenomenon occurs when the Moon is farthest away from the Earth to completely cover the Sun, resulting in a ring of light around the darkened moon.

From Popular-Science

The camera would pull in, the background would darken, and you would give a meta-commentary on the events.

From The Daily Beast

If you only vote on how a person personally feels about abortion, you will never want her to darken your door.

From The Daily Beast

When the sky began to darken, however, they desisted for a time, and set about making preparations for the coming storm.

From Project Gutenberg

Gwynne's mind seemed to darken until only one luminous point confronted it, the visible tormented soul of his kinsman.

From Project Gutenberg

But you must know, she said, looking at him with her sea-blue eyes, that in moments of tense emotion seemed to widen and darken.

From Project Gutenberg

Over her shoulder peered her cousin Dave, and June saw his face darken while she looked.

From Project Gutenberg

His hair was a little less primrose coloured than it had been (pomatum does darken hair a little), but his eyes had not altered.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blacken
• dim
• eclipse
• obscure
• overshadow