darkness

[ dahrk-nis ]

noun

1. the state or quality of being dark:

   The room was in total darkness.

2. absence or deficiency of light:

   the darkness of night.

3. wickedness or evil:

   Satan, the prince of darkness.

4. obscurity; concealment:

   The darkness of the metaphor destroyed its effectiveness.

5. lack of knowledge or enlightenment:

   heathen darkness.

6. lack of sight; blindness.

Other Words From

• pre·darkness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of darkness¹

First recorded before 1050; Middle English derknesse, Old English deorcnysse; equivalent to dark + -ness

Example Sentences

But, she said, after decades she realized he was “killing off the darkness” of what happened to her.

From Los Angeles Times

Scientists call this section of the ocean the “twilight zone” because the fish that inhabit it are basically living in darkness with only a small glimpse of light, Paig-Tran said.

From Los Angeles Times

The score roils with melodic drama in the film’s prologue, which vibrantly depicts a tense heist to steal the titular piano under the cover of darkness and a Fourth of July fireworks show in Mississippi.

From Los Angeles Times

In that way, Chu takes a stab at making a blockbuster for our times, one that doesn’t shy away from contending with the darkness of contemporary politics and society.

From Salon

You will need to stay away from city lights and give yourself a good 20 minutes to let your eyes adjust to the darkness.

From BBC

Related Words

• bleakness
• despair
• despondency
• dysphoria
• gloom
• grimness
• melancholy
• morbidity
• negativity