Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

swarthiness

American  
[swawr-thee-nis, -thee-] / ˈswɔr ði nɪs, -θi- /

noun

  1. darkness of the skin or complexion.

    In numerous ancient Greek writings, the paleness and blondness of the northern people is contrasted with the swarthiness of the Egyptians and Ethiopians.


Etymology

Origin of swarthiness

swarthy ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

On a recent episode, Bim and Nichole talk about one Jason’s “rough-and-ready charms” and the other’s raspy-voiced swarthiness.

From Slate Nov. 12, 2019

When Roger opened his eyes and saw him, a darker shadow crept beneath the swarthiness of his skin; but Jack noticed nothing.

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

He was a lean, active man, very richly dressed, and with a face that by its swarthiness of skin and the sable hue of beard and hair looked almost black.

From Bardelys the Magnificent; being an account of the strange wooing pursued by the Sieur Marcel de Saint-Pol, marquis of Bardelys... by Rafael Sabatini

His eyes had receded into their sockets; his lips were stretched over his teeth; and the swarthiness of his skin had become sulphurous.

From Sacrifice by Stephen French Whitman

His complexion had lost its former swarthiness, but the yellowish gleam of Numidian marble remained on it.

From Quo Vadis: a narrative of the time of Nero by Jeremiah Curtin

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training