darkling

American  

[dahrk-ling] / ˈdɑrk lɪŋ /

adverb

1. in the dark.

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adjective

1. growing dark.

2. being or occurring in the dark; dark; obscure.

3. vaguely threatening or menacing.

darkling British  

/ ˈdɑːklɪŋ /

adverb

1. in the dark or night

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adjective

1. darkening or almost dark; obscure

Etymology

Origin of darkling

First recorded in 1400–50, darkling is from the late Middle English word derkeling. See dark, -ling ²

Example Sentences

They included a number of vivid green and pinkish-orange darkling beetles from China and Laos, and four long-snouted weevils from South Africa.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2023

For them, our species stands before a darkling plain that is at once its birthright and its destiny: the universe itself.

From Slate • Jan. 26, 2023

Enter a species of darkling beetle larvae known as Zophobas morio.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2022

Across the United States this autumn, exhibitions and collection displays of historical treasures promise to elucidate our own darkling age.

From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2021

All night they ran through the darkling wood, but as die sun came up the sound of a distant horn came faintly through the trees, and they heard the baying of a pack of hounds.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin