dark
Having very little or no light, or being a color that is closer to black than white. It is commonly used to describe the lack of light in a space or the intensity of a color shade.
Examples
3 of 5I couldn't find my keys because the room was too dark.
The room had no light, making it impossible to see my keys.
The study concluded that dark environments can affect a person's sleep quality.
Research shows that places without light impact how well people sleep.
It's getting dark out, we should probably head home now.
The sun is going down and the light is fading, so we should go back.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Dark Shark' swimming in the 'Deep' sea where there is no sun.
Quick Quiz
Please turn on the lamp; it is too ___ in here to read my book.
Correct!
The correct answer is: dark
Examples
I couldn't find my keys because the room was too dark.
everydayThe room had no light, making it impossible to see my keys.
The study concluded that dark environments can affect a person's sleep quality.
formalResearch shows that places without light impact how well people sleep.
It's getting dark out, we should probably head home now.
informalThe sun is going down and the light is fading, so we should go back.
The experiment was conducted in a dark chamber to prevent light interference.
academicThe test took place in a room with no light to keep the results accurate.
We should avoid using dark backgrounds for the presentation text.
businessDo not use colors like black or deep blue behind the words in the slides.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
in the dark
to not know about something or be uninformed
dark horse
a person who wins or succeeds unexpectedly
after dark
during the night time
Often Confused With
Dim means there is a little bit of light, whereas dark means there is very little or none at all.
Black is a specific color, while dark is a general quality of having low light or a deep shade.
Usage Notes
Dark can be used as an adjective (a dark room) or as a noun with 'the' (scared of the dark). When describing colors, it acts as a modifier.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'black' instead of 'dark' when describing colors, such as saying 'black green' instead of 'dark green'.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Dark Shark' swimming in the 'Deep' sea where there is no sun.
Word Origin
From the Old English word 'deorc', meaning obscure, gloomy, or without light.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many cultures and literature, 'the dark' is a common symbol for the unknown, secrets, or fear.
Quick Quiz
Please turn on the lamp; it is too ___ in here to read my book.
Correct!
The correct answer is: dark
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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