tenebrous

[ ten-uh-bruhs ]

adjective

1. dark; gloomy; obscure.

tenebrous

/ ˌtɛnəˈbrɒsɪtɪ; təˈnɛbrɪəs; ˈtɛnəbrəs /

adjective

1. gloomy, shadowy, or dark

Derived Forms

• tenebrosity, noun

Other Words From

• tene·brous·ness noun
• un·tene·brous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenebrous¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Latin word tenebrōsus. See Tenebrae, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenebrous¹

C15: from Latin tenebrōsus from tenebrae darkness

Example Sentences

The Republicans, however, sat with tenebrous expressions that matched the black curtain hiding their legs.

From The Daily Beast

I can't recall any other detail, but the whole atmosphere was tenebrous and sinister.

From Project Gutenberg

Winged things that were not bats swooped and fluttered in the tenebrous air, whispering sibilantly—whispering in human voices.

From Project Gutenberg

The room was well illuminated with gas, whatever might be going on in the streets; to no tenebrous repast were we invited.

From Project Gutenberg

Our town was indeed but one vast hospital—orderly, subdued, and tenebrous.

From Project Gutenberg

Never had she looked to Ray so like an eagle, so keen, so fierce, so fit for braving either sun or tenebrous cavern.

From Project Gutenberg