darkness

/ˈdɑːknəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɑːrknəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdärk-nəs/ (ame, mw)

darkness — 名詞

1. a condition with so little light available that seeing things becomes difficult

1.名詞B1
釋義

黑暗；昏暗

光線不足或完全無光的狀態

a condition with so little light available that seeing things becomes difficult or altogether impossible

例句

The power cut left the whole building in complete darkness for three hours.

停電讓整棟大樓完全陷入黑暗長達三個小時。

collocation: complete / total darkness

Dahlia could not find her phone in the darkness of the cinema.

Dahlia 在漆黑的電影院裡找不到她的手機。

prepositional phrase: in the darkness of [place]

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

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

❌The room was filled with dark after sunset.
✅The room was filled with darkness after sunset.
💡darkness is the noun form; dark is normally an adjective.

2. the quality of a colour that makes it closer to black than to white, or the degr

2.名詞B1
釋義

深色

顏色接近黑色而非淺色的特性

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

例句

The darkness of her navy jacket contrasted nicely with the white scarf.

她的深藍色夾克與白色圍巾形成了鮮明的對比。

contrast pattern: darkness of [garment] + contrasted with

Lotte chose curtains with a darkness that would block out the morning sun.

Lotte 選擇了顏色足夠深的窗簾來遮擋早晨的陽光。

同義詞
  • depth

    can describe intensity of colour but is less specific about the black end of the spectrum

  • shade

    focuses on the particular version of a colour rather than the degree of darkness

反義詞

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

❌I like the darkness of the sky today' (when meaning 'the sky is dark' from weather).
✅I like the darkness of the wooden floor in this room.
💡Use only for depth of colour in materials, not for atmospheric conditions.

3. a deep feeling of sadness and hopelessness, as if there is no possibility of hap

3.名詞B2
釋義

絕望；憂鬱

感到悲傷且沒有希望的狀態

a deep feeling of sadness and hopelessness, as if there is no possibility of happiness or improvement

例句

After losing his job and his home, Darius fell into a deep darkness that lasted for months.

失去工作和住處之後，Darius 陷入了長達數月的深深絕望。

collocation: fell into a deep darkness

The novel captures the emotional darkness of a community torn apart by the civil war.

這本小說捕捉了一個被內戰撕裂的社區的沉重憂鬱。

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

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

❌I feel a darkness about the math exam tomorrow' (for ordinary worry).
✅After the breakup she felt a darkness she could not explain.
💡This sense describes a deep, lasting hopelessness, not everyday anxiety.

4. a quality of being morally bad, threatening, or connected with evil forces, ofte

4.名詞B2
釋義

邪惡；陰沉

邪惡或令人恐懼的性質

a quality of being morally bad, threatening, or connected with evil forces, often in a frightening or supernatural way

例句

The old folktale tells of a darkness that lives deep in the forest and feeds on fear.

這則古老的民間傳說講述了一個潛藏在森林深處、以恐懼為食的黑暗存在。

folktale context: a darkness that lives / feeds on

Lan felt a menacing darkness in the presence of the cruel warlord who ruled the village.

Lan 在那個統治村莊的殘酷軍閥面前感受到一股令人不安的邪氣。

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

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

❌That politician is a man of darkness' (using it as a personal insult).
✅The hero fought against the darkness that threatened the kingdom.
💡This sense is used in symbolic, literary, or religious contexts, not as a direct personal label.

5. a state in which a person or group lacks knowledge, understanding, or education

5.名詞C1
釋義

無知；蒙昧

缺乏知識或啟蒙的狀態

a state in which a person or group lacks knowledge, understanding, or education about something important

例句

Centuries of intellectual darkness followed the fall of the great library.

那座偉大圖書館陷落之後，隨之而來的是長達數百年的知識黑暗時期。

historical context: centuries of [intellectual] darkness

The teacher's mission was to lead her students out of darkness through education and reason.

這位老師的使命是透過教育與理性帶領學生走出蒙昧。

metaphor: lead out of darkness into [understanding/education]

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

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.

常見錯誤

❌I am in complete darkness about how to cook rice.
✅The local people lived in darkness about modern medicine until the clinic opened.
💡This sense requires a serious or systemic lack of knowledge, not a trivial everyday gap.