darken

American  

[dahr-kuhn] / ˈdɑr kən /

verb (used with object)

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.

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verb (used without object)

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!

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Other Word Forms

• darkener noun
• undarken verb (used with object)
• well-darkened adjective

Etymology

Origin of darken

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

Example Sentences

Their mood tends to darken considerably, leading them to be more likely to sell their stock holdings and less likely to buy.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

"It was a matter of arriving on location and seeing the sun go down to get into position to wait for the sky to darken."

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

As long as the earnings picture doesn’t darken, shares should rise.

From Barron's • Dec. 5, 2025

The mood among German consumers continues to darken as the pressures besetting Europe’s largest economy take their toll on sentiment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 27, 2025

Now I have walked there, but I will bring no report to darken the light of day.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien

Related Words

• blacken
• dim
• eclipse
• obscure
• overshadow