darkness
/ˈdɑːknəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɑːrknəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdärk-nəs/ (ame, mw)
darkness — noun
1. a condition with so little light available that seeing things becomes difficult
a condition with so little light available that seeing things becomes difficult or altogether impossible
The power cut left the whole building in complete darkness for three hours.
collocation: complete / total darkness
Dahlia could not find her phone in the darkness of the cinema.
prepositional phrase: in the darkness of [place]
The cat's eyes glowed bright green in the darkness under the old wooden porch.
After sunset the hikers were trapped in total darkness on the narrow mountain trail.
A faint light appeared in the darkness and the lost child began to cry with relief.
- gloom
suggests a dim, murky darkness rather than total absence of light
- shadow
refers to the dark shape cast by something blocking light, not a general state
- obscurity
more formal; can mean darkness but often implies lack of visibility due to distance or haze
- night
narrower — the natural darkness that comes after sunset, not a general condition
文法句型
darkness + of + noun
in + (the) + darkness
total / complete / pitch + darkness
用法筆記
Commonly used with adjectives such as complete, total, pitch, deep, or absolute to describe the degree of absence of light. Preceded by in when referring to a location or situation.
常見錯誤
2. the quality of a colour that makes it closer to black than to white, or the degr
the quality of a colour that makes it closer to black than to white, or the degree to which it is deep rather than pale
The darkness of her navy jacket contrasted nicely with the white scarf.
contrast pattern: darkness of [garment] + contrasted with
Lotte chose curtains with a darkness that would block out the morning sun.
The darkness of the oak wood gives the dining table a rich and warm look.
Mauricio added a little black paint to increase the darkness of the blue.
文法句型
the darkness of + noun (colour/material)
用法筆記
Typically used when describing fabrics, paints, wood, or other materials where the shade or depth of colour matters. Not used for abstract colour descriptions like 'her favourite colour is blue'.
常見錯誤
3. a deep feeling of sadness and hopelessness, as if there is no possibility of hap
a deep feeling of sadness and hopelessness, as if there is no possibility of happiness or improvement
After losing his job and his home, Darius fell into a deep darkness that lasted for months.
collocation: fell into a deep darkness
The novel captures the emotional darkness of a community torn apart by the civil war.
Meera saw a tiny glimmer of hope in the darkness of her depression.
The final scenes of the play are filled with a beautiful but painful darkness.
- despair
stronger and more active sense of giving up hope
- gloom
less intense; can describe a passing sad mood
- melancholy
more poetic and reflective, often with a gentle sadness
文法句型
darkness + of + noun (emotion/situation)
fall into + darkness
a darkness + settled / descended
用法筆記
Frequently used in literary and psychological contexts. Often appears with modifiers like deep, emotional, inner, or spiritual. Distinguish from sense 4 (EVIL): this sense describes a personal emotional state rather than a moral quality.
常見錯誤
4. a quality of being morally bad, threatening, or connected with evil forces, ofte
a quality of being morally bad, threatening, or connected with evil forces, often in a frightening or supernatural way
The old folktale tells of a darkness that lives deep in the forest and feeds on fear.
folktale context: a darkness that lives / feeds on
Lan felt a menacing darkness in the presence of the cruel warlord who ruled the village.
The film explores the darkness that can grow inside a person who has suffered too long alone.
The forces of darkness were finally defeated when the king united the three kingdoms.
- evil
more direct and less metaphorical; darkness implies hidden or mysterious malevolence
- wickedness
focuses on immoral actions rather than a threatening quality
- malice
suggests deliberate intent to harm, which darkness may or may not imply
文法句型
the forces / powers of darkness
darkness + dwells / lives / spreads
a darkness + within
用法筆記
Common in religious, mythological, and fantasy contexts. The phrase the forces of darkness is a set expression meaning evil powers. Distinguish from sense 3 (SADNESS): this sense refers to moral evil or supernatural threat, not personal sadness.
常見錯誤
5. a state in which a person or group lacks knowledge, understanding, or education
a state in which a person or group lacks knowledge, understanding, or education about something important
Centuries of intellectual darkness followed the fall of the great library.
historical context: centuries of [intellectual] darkness
The teacher's mission was to lead her students out of darkness through education and reason.
metaphor: lead out of darkness into [understanding/education]
Living in darkness about the true cause of the disease only made the epidemic spread faster.
Élise wrote a paper examining the darkness of superstition that controlled daily life in the medieval village.
- ignorance
more direct and common; darkness suggests a broader, more oppressive state
- unenlightenment
formal and rare; implies a historical or cultural lack of learning
- obscurity
can overlap but usually refers to being unknown rather than unknowing
文法句型
in + darkness + about + topic
darkness + of + ignorance
living in darkness
用法筆記
Almost always used in metaphorical or formal writing, especially in historical, philosophical, or educational discussions. Frequently paired with phrases like out of darkness into light to describe a transition from ignorance to understanding.