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Synonyms

darken

American  
[dahr-kuhn] / ˈdɑr kən /

verb (used with object)

darkens, present (3rd person singular) darkened, past participle, past darkening present participle
  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)

darkens, present (3rd person singular) darkened, past participle, past darkening present participle
  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!

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of darken

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

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