Stygian

[ stij-ee-uhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the river Styx or to Hades.
2. dark or gloomy.
3. infernal; hellish.

Stygian

/ ˈstɪdʒɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to the river Styx
2. literary.
   1. dark, gloomy, or hellish
   2. completely inviolable, as a vow sworn by the river Styx

Other Words From

• trans-Stygi·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Stygian¹

1560–70; < Latin Stygi ( us ) < Greek Stýgios ( Styg-, stem of Stýx Styx + -ios adj. suffix) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of Stygian¹

C16: from Latin Stygius, from Greek Stugios, from Stux Styx ; related to stugein to hate

Example Sentences

A narrow loophole barely filtered through a pale ray of light into that semi-Stygian darkness.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not the sort of night we know on earth, but a Stygian blackness.

From Project Gutenberg

The night had become inky-black; the town was in a valley and the shadow of trees and houses made the darkness even more Stygian.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the Stygian vessels, the Despair, was sunk by the Hope.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the Stygian darkness of the great pines grew; and the silence of wonder fell on the two quarrellers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• black
• cloudy
• darkened
• dim
• dingy
• drab
• dull
• foggy
• gloomy
• misty
• murky
• overcast
• shadowy
• somber