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dark

dark

7 7.9
Hard to understand because it is unclear or complicated
  • adjective
  • /dɑrk/
  • Literature
: oscuro
  • The author's dark themes made the book challenging to read.

It's, it's dark and, and, and difficult and confusing.

Examples

  • Flannery O'Connor is famous for dark commentaries on humankind containing complex, mysterious themes.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Many readers found the poem's dark imagery difficult to interpret.

  • Let me ask some dark, difficult questions, if I might.

  • It's, it's dark and, and, and difficult and confusing.

  • I'm not sure what you were reading, Tom, but this is very dark stuff, very dark indeed.

  • Students wondered, how could he write such a deep, dark emotional flash piece?

    Academic text (2015)
  • Yeah, I saw it, but to the readers in the paper, it's going to look like a dark blob.

  • I will utter dark sayings which we have heard.

  • I shot his films at NYU, and there were a couple of movies that were very dark, very cerebral.

  • Her lecture on existential philosophy was filled with dark concepts that perplexed the audience.

Synonyms

obscure
vsdark
37 8.2

Hard to understand because it is unclear or complex

is used mainly for complex or stylistic problems in writing or speech
darksome
vsdark
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Dark and gloomy in a way that makes you feel uncertain or afraid

applies to complex expressive style not only gloom or mystery
shadowy
vsdark
1 5.1

Hard to see or understand because it is not clear

focuses more on complex expression and style rather than simple vagueness
darkling
vsdark
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Dark and shadowy in a way that feels frightening

is about difficulty of understanding caused by complex or hidden expression

Antonyms

181 3.0

How easy it is to understand what someone says or writes

36 1.7

Being easy to understand and not complicated

Idioms

in the dark
  • Informal
69 5.5

Not told about important things, so you do not know them

To guess or try something without much information

down a dark path
  • Informal
1 8.2

To start behaving in a bad or dangerous way that harms your life

1 9.3

To say something that has little effect and only comforts you

1 7.5

Focus on the bad parts of a situation and expect the worst

Compounds

143 5.7

Parts of a person, thing or situation that are hidden and harmful

dark matter
  • Specialized
52 7.5

An invisible substance that does not give off or take in light and pulls things by gravity

45 7.5

A time in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire when people had less learning and trade

39 2.2

A person who has naturally dark skin

36 1.0

Having a deep blue color

29 1.0

A deep brown color like wood or earth

23 1.5

A person with dark hair like black or brown

21 1.3

Having a dark shade, like deep blue or black

A kind of chocolate that has lots of cocoa, little or no milk, and less sugar than milk chocolate

17 1.0

A deep shade of green like pine needles

dark cloud
  • Informal
16 4.2

Sadness or worry that affects groups such as families and companies

14 1.0

Glasses with dark lenses that protect your eyes from bright sunlight

14 2.0

Meat from the legs and thighs of a bird that is darker and juicier than breast meat

13 1.0

A very deep grey color that reflects little light

12 4.8

A person or team not well known who unexpectedly wins

10 1.0

A deep red color that is not bright

The half of the Moon that we never see from Earth

5 3.4

There is no light at all, like a room with no windows

4 5.3

Funny stories that use shocking or sad topics to make people laugh

3 1.0

A deep, rich blue color darker than normal blue

2 6.3

A time in the past with painful or troubling events

An evil part of a mysterious power that bad characters use in Star Wars

A place with little light that is damp and unpleasant

dark blue
  • Literature
1 6.3

In US politics, strongly supporting the Democratic Party, often describing voters or areas that usually vote Democratic

dark joke
  • Informal
1 7.1

A joke that treats serious or painful subjects as funny and may upset some people

1 2.7

A loaf made from whole wheat or other dark flours

dark-field microscope
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A microscope that makes tiny particles too small for an ordinary microscope appear bright on a dark background

1 4.1

Having dark marks on the surface or skin

dark lantern
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A lantern with a sliding cover that hides its light

dark adaptation
  • Specialized
1 6.5

The eyes become more sensitive after bright light so you can see in low light

Harmful effects of modern tools and devices that hurt people and society, for example losing privacy or loneliness

1 7.3

A small North American sparrow with grey feathers and dark eyes

1 9.9

A very early time in the morning before dawn that people say as a joke

dark-fruited
  • Specialized
1 6.9

Having dark fruit like grapes or berries

Dark Brandon
  • Slang
9.9

A joke name or image that shows US President Joe Biden as powerful and serious in online memes

7.5

A way of lighting a sample under a microscope to make tiny things look bright against a dark background

6.5

A way to see tiny things under a microscope as bright shapes on a dark background

oh dark hundred
  • Informal
9.9

A funny way to say a very early time before dawn

How Clear

clear
∞ 1.0
unclear
212 3.9
dark
  • Literature
7 7.9

Surface Forms

dark positive
darker comparative
darkest superlative

Etymology

Dark meaning 'hard to understand' comes from the old sense of 'hidden' in deorc, like something kept in shadow so you cannot see it clearly. So a dark text or idea feels difficult because it is not easy to see or understand.