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dusky

dusky

3 5.4
Having naturally dark skin
  • adjective
  • /ˈdʌski/
translation icon : moreno
  • His color was sallow and somewhat dusky; his lips were more purplish than they should have been.
  • dusky complexion
  • dusky skin
  • dusky-skinned

Examples

  • John G. has raccoon circles around his eyes and a chin dusky with three days' beard.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • "She's a little dusky," the nurse said.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Then again, there was this dusky gal in Bangkok.

  • Bea caught herself hoping that her roommate would see Mita's dusky brown skin and think she was black.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Tatsumi Ryuichi, the older one, had a dusky complexion.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Suddenly, Randall became aware of the waiter's dusky complexion.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Neon had been five-four, brunette, with a dusky complexion.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The model had a stunning, dusky complexion that highlighted her unique beauty.

  • He admired her dusky skin, which glowed warmly in the soft evening light.

  • The artist captured the subject's dusky features with remarkable detail in the painting.

Synonyms

dark
vsdusky
588 1.0

Having a deep brown or nearly black color

is specific to a person's naturally deep complexion rather than general color
dark-brown
vsdusky
18 1.0

A deep brown color like wood or earth

is about natural dark skin rather than one specific brown shade
inky
vsdusky
14 2.8

Very dark in color like black ink

is milder, meaning natural dark skin rather than jet black darkness
dark-skinned
vsdusky
13 2.2

A person who has naturally dark skin

is identical in meaning and use for natural dark skin
swarthy
vsdusky
7 7.3

Having naturally dark skin

is identical in meaning and use for natural dark skin
dark-gray
vsdusky
  • US
7 1.0

A very deep grey color that reflects little light

refers to a person's naturally dark complexion, not just a grey tone
blackish
vsdusky
3 1.1

A little dark in color, like very dark grey

describes natural dark skin without implying nearly black tone
dark-colored
vsdusky
  • US
1 1.3

Having a dark shade, like deep blue or black

is used only for a person's naturally dark complexion rather than any object
darkish
vsdusky
1 2.0

A little less light in color than usual

is stronger, indicating a naturally dark complexion rather than slight darkness
swart
vsdusky
  • Archaic
9.9

Having dark skin

is the neutral contemporary descriptor for natural dark skin
melanic
vsdusky
  • Specialized
8.6

Having very dark skin, fur, or feathers because of a natural dark substance

focuses on natural dark skin without naming a scientific cause
fuscous
vsdusky
9.9

A dark brownish-grey colour like old wood

specifies natural dark skin rather than describing a general shade
pardo
vsdusky
9.9

Having a dull brown and gray color like dry earth

refers to natural dark complexion rather than a general color name
dusky-colored
vsdusky
5.5

Having a soft dark color like the sky at dusk

is about natural dark skin rather than general color
blackish-gray
vsdusky
3.5

A dark gray color that looks almost black

is about natural dark complexion rather than a color mix description
grayish-black
vsdusky
  • US
3.2

A very dark color that looks like black with a little grey

focuses on natural dark skin rather than specific black-grey tones
atramentous
vsdusky
  • Archaic
9.9

Very dark, almost black, in color or very sad and gloomy

is the neutral term for natural dark skin, not figurative gloom

Antonyms

191 1.0

Pleasant to look at, often with light hair or skin

Compounds

1 8.2

A large slender blue-grey shark that lives in warm coastal waters worldwide

A small animal like a frog with dark brown or grey skin that lives in damp forests

Having a soft dark color like the sky at dusk

A North American wood rat with dark feet that builds large stick nests

A large rat active at night with gray brown fur and pale feet from western North America

How Dark

dark
588 1.0
swarthy
7 7.3
dusky
3 5.4
tan
122 1.0
fair
191 1.0
pale
291 1.0

Surface Forms

dusky positive

Morphology

dusky = dusk (semi-transparent) = dusk + y

The adjective is formed regularly from 'dusk', but applying it to skin colour is a metaphorical extension rather than a literal twilight-related property.

Etymology

Dusky comes from dusk ('twilight') plus -y ('like'), so when we call someone's skin dusky we mean its color is like the darker, warm tones of dusk.