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

Over generations, their skin might darken to block radiation damage as well.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Safety is every car maker's top priority and providing good visibility to drivers in darkened conditions is essential," says Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT.

From BBC

Or it might have been just a wrinkle in the paper, magnified and darkened by the camera.

From Literature

The barrels -- bound tightly with rope, their fabric skins stiffened and darkened with lacquer -- inevitably recall the Gulf's vast hydrocarbon wealth.

From Barron's

In recent years, neighborhoods ranging from Hancock Park and Lincoln Heights to Mar Vista and Pico Union have been plagued by copper wire theft that darkens the streets.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blacken
• dim
• eclipse
• obscure
• overshadow